Improving the color strength of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics with a turmeric natural dye

Purpose This study aims to enhance the dyeability of polyester fabrics with turmeric natural dyes through plasma and alkaline treatments. The aim is to achieve better color strength in dyed samples without significant changes in their other properties. This is done while the weight loss is kept in a range with no considerable effect on those properties. Design/methodology/approach The surface of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric was modified using oxygen plasma at a low temperature. The alkaline hydrolysis of that polyester fabric was also done through treating it with an aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The untreated and treated polyester fabrics were studied for the changes of their physical characteristics such as weight loss, wetting behavior, strength loss, bending length, flexural rigidity and K/S and wash fastness. The samples were treated with plasma and sodium hydroxide and dyed with a turmeric natural dye. Findings In comparison to the untreated sample, the plasma-treated, alkaline-treated and plasma treatment followed by alkaline hydrolysis polyester experienced 9.3%, 68.6% and 102.3% increase in its color depth as it was dyed with a turmeric natural dye, respectively. The plasma treatment was followed by alkaline hydrolysis. The improvement in the color depth could be attributed to the surface modification. Originality/value In this paper, investigations were conducted of the separate effects of plasma treatment and alkaline hydrolysis as well as their synergistic effect on the dyeing of the polyester fabric with a natural dye obtained from turmeric.