Dopamine-Dyed and Functionally Finished Silk with Rapid Oxidation Polymerization

Nowadays, more and more attention has been paid to ecological environment problems, and the dyeing and finishing field is no exception. Environmentally friendly dyeing and finishing methods have been extensively studied. Inspired by the bioadhesive force of marine mussels, dopamine (DA) was applied as a dyestuff and investigated in textile dyeing. In this work, dopamine was dyed on silk with a rapid oxidation polymerization in the presence of metal ions (Fe(3+)) and sodium perborate oxidant (Ox). The polydopamine (PDA) was rapidly deposited on silk fabric and the dyeing process was optimized as follows: the concentration of DA was 2 g·L(−1), and that of Fe(3+) was 2 mmol·L(−1); the total reaction time was 50 min and reacted at 50 °C; 9 mmol·L(−1) Ox was added at 20 min. The K/S value of the treated silk fabric reached 11.46. The color fastness of dyed fabric to light fastness reached Level 4. The SEM and AFM tests showed that the particles attached to the fabric surface and increased the roughness. The XPS test further proved that polydopamine (PDA) was deposited on the fabric. The treated fabric also had a good anti-UV property with a UPF >30 and UVA <4%. The water contact angle of treated fabric attained 142.6°, showing better hydrophobicity, and the weft breaking strength was also improved. This environmentally friendly dyeing and finishing method can be applied and extended to other fabrics.