Environmentally Improved Reactive Dyeing of Nylon 6 Electrospun Nanofibres Using Ultrasonic Energy

Abstract

Sustainable dyeing practices are essential for reducing the environmental footprint of the industry. This study investigates the potential of ultrasonic-assisted dyeing as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional exhaust dyeing of Nylon 6 electrospun polymeric nanofibres with reactive dyes. The findings reveal that ultrasonic dyeing not only enhances the colour yield (K/S of 1.72) as compared to the conventional method (K/S of 1.42) but also provides environmental benefits. The method resulted in a 28% reduction in the total dissolved solids (TDS) contents of dyeing effluent, 25% saving in the dye consumption, substantial reduction in the thermal energy (1200 kcal), reduction in the process time (10 min) and slightly better colourfastness performance. Moreover, ATR-FTIR, light transmission and SEM analyses were used during the research. These improvements offer both enhanced performance and ecological benefits. The findings are relevant for high-performance textile applications particularly functional apparels and smart textiles, where colour vibrancy, material integrity and environmental sustainability are crucial.