Dataset supporting "Natural Dyes and Regenerated Cellulose Fibers Blending using Ionic Liquid as a Common Platform for Sustainable Textiles/Fashion Applications"

Abstract

Conventional textile dyeing generates significant water pollution through synthetic dye leaching, creating urgent need for closed-loop processes. The current work uses a novel in-situ spin dyeing process to develop dyed cellulose fibres, using ionic liquid (IL) as a unified platform to dissolve cellulose and disperse a range of natural dyes – eliminating post-spinning coloration. The spin dyeing method effectively requires less water uptake and is a sustainable benign method for the future textile industry. Different natural dyes were incorporated into the cellulose-IL composite solution to add vibrant colours to the fibres. Natural dyes derived from Sorghum, and Coreopsis show better conjugation with the wet-spun fibres, while the other dyes do not show similar levels of dye stability and incorporation within the fibres. FTIR results confirmed chemical bonding of dyes in the fibres. SEM images indicated the homogeneous dispersion of dye across the fibres. The resultant dyed fibres demonstrate similar mechanical properties in comparison to the neat cellulosic fibres, and commercially available fibres. Although thermal stability decreased for the dyed fibres, mechanical performance validates IL-mediated spin-dyeing as a viable alternative to petroleum-based dyes. This first demonstration of ILs enabling integrated fibre production and natural dyeing establishes a blueprint for sustainable textiles manufacturing.