Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics with Novel Fluorescent Reactive Dyes Based on Fluorescein: Dyeing and Fluorescent Properties, Adsorption Isotherms, and Kinetic Studies

ABSTRACT Fluorescent dyes can apply to prepare some high-visibility materials for safety garments. Reactive dyes have advantages, such as brilliant shades, suitable wet-fastness properties, and high daylight visibility. In this respect, we reported the dyeing properties of two synthesized fluorescent reactive dyes, namely mono-functional (D1) and bifunctional (D2), on cotton fabrics. The cotton fabrics were dyed in various concentrations of D1 and D2 at 80°C and 60°C, respectively. Results represented that D1 and D2 had good exhaustion on cotton fabrics with suitable fixation percentages. The experimental data of the dyeing of cotton fabrics with the used dyes were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and B.E.T isotherm models. The kinetic data were checked by pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models. The results indicated that the isotherm and kinetic adsorption of dyes on cotton fabrics were fitted by the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The dyed cotton fabrics had relatively medium light fastness (3–4) and good rubbing and washing fastness (4–5). The investigation of color characteristics and fluorescent properties of dyed cotton fabrics with fluorescent dyes showed that the reactive dyes had a yellow hue on cotton fabrics with good fluorescence intensity in concentration 5% o.w.f.