Effect of Nanosilica Type on Dyeability of Polyethylene Terephthalate/Silica Nanocomposite

Parvinzadeh, M.; Moradian, S.; Rashidi, A.S.; Yazdanshenas, M.E.

Effect of Nanosilica Type on Dyeability of Polyethylene Terephthalate/Silica Nanocomposite

Authors

¹ Department of Textile, Islamic Azad University, Shahre Rey Branch

² Center of Excellence for Color Science and Technology, Institute for Color Science and Technology

³ Department of Textile Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch

⁴ Department of Textile Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch

Abstract

In this research, polyester nanocomposites containing three types of nanosilica particles as filler were prepared by melt compounding. The influence of type of fillers on various properties of nanocomposite were investigated by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, reflectance spectroscopy and light fastness. SEM was used to indicate presence of silica on surface of nanocomposites and it showed that surface roughness depends on hydrophilicity of nanosilica used. Optical microscopy images from nanocomposites containing silica illustrated the increment of the number of spherulites in the PET matrix with increase in silica percentage which were dependent on nano-silica type and content. Differential scanning calorimetry results of the nanocomposites showed a slight decrease in the melting temperature compared to pure PET. Results obtained from dyeing of polymers indicated that hydrophilic nanosilica particles improve the dyeability with disperse dyes at 110 and 130°C. Light fastness of dyed samples containing nanosilica was improved a little as compared with pure PET which could be attributed to certain interactions between nanosilica and dye in the polymer matrix.

Keywords