Dyeing Properties for Fabrics of the Wood of Toxicodendron vernicifluum

Abstract

To utilize unused wood of Toxicodendron vernicifluum as a natural dye, dyeing properties for fabrics of the wood were investigated. To obtain the phenolic pigments, the wood was extracted with hot water under various conditions. It was revealed that a higher amount of phenolics was extracted by the addition of sodium carbonate. The extract solution was found to have a good dyeing affinity for nylon, wool and silk fabrics. Using the solution from the extraction with hot water containing sodium carbonate, deep dyeing could be attained by adding acetic acid. In addition, by mordanting with metal salt, deep dyed fabrics were colored more deeply than the fabrics dyed with the hot water extract. The washing fastness of the dyed cotton fabric was poor, but it was improved by mordanting with metal salt, especially with iron (II) acetate. Moreover, it was found that the dyed cotton fabrics exhibited definite antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.