Disperse ink-jet inks with active agents: properties and application to polyester and polyamide fibers

The preparation of water-based disperse inks was made using water and a mixture of 2-propanol/ethylene glycol as the water-miscible solvent. Ethylene glycol acted also as a wetting agent. The surface tension, pH, viscosity and conductivity of the above formulations were monitored over a period of 360 days. The same inks were prepared by adding solutions of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% w/v of fragrance microcapsules, as well as the same concentrations of an antimicrobial agent dispersion as active additives, and the properties were monitored over 360 days. The compatibility of the two additives with the ink ingredients, as well as the suitability of the final inks for ink-jet printing, was confirmed by these measurements. The inks were used (i) for dyeing polyester and polyamide samples and (ii) for ink-jet printing on paper, transfer printing on polyester and thermostabilization. Wash and light fastness were evaluated on the dyed and printed samples according to BS 1006:1990 CO2 and BO2, respectively, and they were found to be very good to excellent for polyester samples, and medium for polyamide samples. Color measurements of the dyed and printed polyamide and polyester samples were made and the results confirmed the high affinity of the two disperse dyes to the non-polar polyester fiber compared to the polyamide fiber. Qualitative and quantitative determination of the agents adsorbed on the dyed and printed polyester samples was made by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy or spectrophotometrically.