Integrating Plasma Technology and Bio-mordants for Sustainable Madder Dyeing of Wool Fibers

This study assesses sustainable alternatives to traditional textile dyeing by examining the impacts of plasma treatment and bio-mordants on wool dyed with madder. Wool fibers were treated with alum (traditional mordant), valex, and chitosan (bio-mordants), with and without plasma activation. The integrated plasma-chitosan treatment markedly improved dye absorption, fastness characteristics, UV shielding, and yielded more vibrant colors, surpassing conventional techniques. A comprehensive life cycle study from gate to gate showed that the application of plasma with bio-mordants significantly mitigates environmental consequences by decreasing carbon emissions and eradicating heavy metals. These findings underscore the innovative combination between plasma technology and bio-mordants as a promising method for attaining sustainable, high-performance textile dyeing.