Effects of cationic fixing agents on the direct dyeing properties of cotton fabrics

One mono-reactive and two bis-reactive 2,3-epoxypropyl derivatives of quaternary ammonium chloride have been synthesised and characterised using different spectroscopic techniques. The effects of these compounds as fixing agents have been evaluated on the direct dyeing properties of cotton fabrics. The results indicated that pretreatment of cotton fabrics with these cationic agents enhanced the colour strength and fastness properties of direct dyeings over the untreated dyeings without using high electrolyte concentrations. However, bis-reactive derivatives have proved to be more effective than the mono-reactive derivative. Amongst bis-reactive derivatives, the compound with lower steric hindrance has shown superior results.