An alternative natural dye, almond shell waste: effects of plasma and mordants on dyeing properties

In this study, the effect of the plasma process and the possibility of replacing metallic mordants with plasma treatment were investigated in natural dyeing with almond shell waste as a novel natural colorant. The use of a smaller amount of metallic mordants and plant than most of the current natural dye applications is a major advantage of dyeing with almond shell extract. Plasma-treated and untreated wool fabrics were dyed without mordant and using a smaller amount (0.2 g/l) of alum, iron(II) sulfate and copper(II) sulfate. Three mordanting methods, namely premordanting, simultaneous mordanting and post-mordanting, were applied. Colour measurements and light and wash fastness values were compared. Significant colour differences were observed among the mordanting methods. Simultaneous mordanting resulted in the lightest colours with all the mordants. Generally, post-mordanting produced duller colours and lower a* and b* values than premordanting. The plasma process generated significant colour value differences and colour yield increases, giving more homogeneous dyeing visually, and also ensured a greater impact of mordanting. However, compared with metallic mordants, plasma itself did not create completely different colour shades and fastness improvement. It was necessary to use mordants in order to achieve increased fastness properties (especially light fastness) and a different colour gamut.