Effect of zirconium dioxide nanoparticlesas a mordant on properties of wool with Thyme: Dyeing, flammability and antibacterial

Abstract

In this research, the zirconium dioxide nanoparticle was synthesized and the effect of these particles as a mordant on properties of wool fabric in dying process with a natural dye,also flammability and antibacterial properties were studied. The wool fabrics were treated with different concentrations of zirconium dioxide nanoparticlesincluding 1, 3, 6 and 9% o.w.f. and the dyeing process was carried out on the fabrics in the states before, simultaneously and after mordanting with Thyme. The chemical characteristics and the changes induced by zirconium were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR).The influence of the amount of nano-ZrO 2 and the type of mordanting treatment on dye absorbency were studied by reflectance spectrophotometer (RS). Flammability of samples was investigated by horizontal flammability test (HFT).The antibacterial properties were determined by reduction growth of a Gram-negative bacterium E. coli and a Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The surfaces of untreated and treated fabrics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy to observe the morphological changes.