Biomordant assisted natural dyeing of cellulosic fibre: a greener approach

Natural dyes serve as a benign alternative to their synthetic counterparts, offering a sustainable option that directly mitigates the release of toxic chemicals. In this study, cotton fabrics were dyed with neem leaf extract in acidic, neutral and alkaline condition where samples were mordanted with lemon juice. The findings revealed a direct correlation between colour strength (K/S) and pH levels, and optimal fastness properties were achieved under alkaline pH conditions when a mordant was employed. The Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) ensured the elemental composition of lemon juice assisted dyed fabric which indicates the effective binding of cotton fabric with neem leaves extracted dye. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy analysis also confirmed the interaction of cotton fabric with dye particles. The results indicate that cotton fabric can be successfully dyed with neem leaf extract and lemon juice as the biomordant, presenting an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to dyeing practices.