Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of the adsorption behaviour of the natural dye cochineal on polyamide 66

The adsorption behaviour of the natural dye cochineal on polyamide 66 was studied at different pH values. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters such as standard affinity (−Δμ˚), changes in enthalpy (Δ H ˚) and entropy (Δ S ˚), diffusion coefficient and activation energy of the diffusion, were determined for pH values of 3 and 6. Results indicated that the experimental data fitted appropriately with the Nernst isotherm. Furthermore, the partitioning ratio and −Δμ˚ decreased significantly with increasing temperature, and it was revealed that the adsorption of cochineal onto polyamide was an exothermic process. The −Δμ˚ value of polyamide dyed at pH 3 was higher than that dyed at pH 6. This is related to higher numbers of electrostatic and non‐electrostatic interactions between cochineal and polyamide at pH 3, whereas at pH 6 non‐electrostatic hydrophobic interactions between cochineal and polyamide are dominant. At pH 6 comparatively higher negative values for Δ H ˚ and Δ S ˚ were obtained. The diffusion coefficient increased with rises in temperature. The polyamide dyed at pH 3 had a higher diffusion coefficient at every temperature than the polyamide dyed at pH 6. The dyeing rate for polyamide at pH 3 was higher than at pH 6 and reached equilibrium in a shorter time. Furthermore, a lower activation energy of diffusion was obtained at pH 3 compared to pH 6.