Author(s): Harshita Chaudhary, Charu Gupta, and Deepti Gupta

Abstract:
Polyester (PET) fiber has acquired a major position in textile and apparel trade across the world due to its excellent physicochemical properties, good mechanical strength combined with its resistance to chemicals and abrasion, stretching, shrinking, and wrinkling. However because of its non-polar and hydrophobic nature, it is difficult to apply any finish directly on it. In an effort to apply sericin finish on PET and enhance its multifunctional properties and dyeability, in the present study, low environment technology of VUV excimer has been explored. The results show that irradiation treatment aided in lowering the dyeing temperature of polyester from 130 ^oC to 100 ^oC. Maximum dye uptake was observed at much shorter duration of treatment i.e. 60min. Irradiation treatment also aided in application of sericin, a natural biopolymer on non-polar PET surface. Sericin further enhanced the dyeability with the moisture regain (MR) and radical scavenging activity (RSA) of PET. No improvement in antimicrobial properties was seen. Sericin finish applied was observed to be durable. The color fastness properties of the dyed sericin treated fabrics was found excellent.