Enhancing Cotton Dyeing with Acid Dye Using Gum Isolated from Apple Rock Baels Optimized by Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

This study aims to treat cotton fabric with gum isolated from Apple Rock Bael (ARB) by applying a new technology method named microwave irradiation (MW) and ultrasonic wave (US) to simplify its dyeing process with acid dye and enhance its properties. Additionally, this study thoroughly discussed the role of the response surface methodology in optimizing diffusion capacity. Reasonably large levels of performance fabric properties are obtained using Minitab® statistical software. The response surface methodology (RSM) facilitated treatment and curing optimization, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR, and XRD. The SEM revealed the treated material on the treated cotton fabric surface. The treatment conditions were optimized by applying different gum concentrations at different temperatures for various time under MW irradiation and US waves. The K/S and fastness properties were evaluated of acid-dyed-treated cotton fabric. Under optimal treatment conditions, we investigated the effects of treated cotton fabrics on their biological, chemical, and mechanical properties. The current study revealed that using natural gum isolated from ARB as a finishing agent offers a sustainable solution and aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly textile processing methods. The finding illustrates that the maximum predicted value of K/S for MW was 13.90, while the data optimum condition was 4 g at 100 °C for 30 min for the US wave the maximum predicted value of K/S was 9.15, change in isolated gum concentration, treated time, and treated temperature have a highly significant effect on the K/S according to the results (p values are 0.00045, 0.00079, and 0.000242, respectively) when using MW irradiation. In contrast, time and temperature (US) have insignificant effects on K/S results; p values are 0.0245 and 0.0140 when applying US. The optimum data of curing condition were at 75 watts for 100 s when using MW, and at 90 watts for 120 s when applying US wave. Under this condition, the maximum predicted value of K/S for coloring of curing-treated cotton fabric was 15.0609 and 12.907 when applying MW irradiation and US waves, respectively. FTIR and SEM were also investigated. This approach could potentially reduce the environmental impact of textile manufacturing while maintaining or even enhancing the quality of the finished products. Furthermore, the successful application of this bio-waste material in fabric treatment could inspire further research into other underutilized natural resources for textile applications.