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Polymers for dye transfer inhibition in laundry applications
Author(s) -
Boardman Saskia J.,
Hayward Adam S.,
Lant Neil J.,
Fossum Renae D.,
Thornton Paul D.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.49632
Subject(s) - laundry , polymer , dyeing , indigo , chemical engineering , polymer science , polyester , aqueous solution , chemistry , materials science , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , waste management , art , engineering , visual arts
The deposition of dyes onto lightly colored garments, or onto lighter sections of multicolored garments, during laundry results in fabric discoloration. In particular, there is a requirement to restrict indigo dye transfer between garments. Polymers may be added to detergent formulations as dye transfer inhibitors to prevent dye transfer by blocking the deposition of fugitive dyes in aqueous solution. This article reports the generation of a range of dye transfer inhibitors produced by condensation reactions that are effective in preventing the transfer of unbound indigo dye to a variety of fiber types. Key design rules relating to polymer hydrophilicity and pendant polymer functionality were established for the creation of effective dye transfer inhibitors. Remarkably, polymers at concentrations as low as 0.1 mg/ml were found to be effective in inhibiting indigo deposition on a variety of fiber types, offering great promise for their inclusion within laundry detergent formulations as dye transfer inhibitors.