Physicochemical characterization of titanium dioxide inks for digital textile printing based on newly developed polyurethane prepolymers
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the physical and chemical characteristics of inkjet titanium dioxide inks for cotton fabric digital printing.
Design/methodology/approach
Different dispersing agents through the reaction of glycerol monooleate and toluene diisocyanate were prepared and then performed by using three different polyols (succinic anhydride-modified polyethylene glycol PEG 600, EO/PO Polyether Monoamine and p-chloro aniline Polyether Monoamine), to obtain three different dispersing agents for water-based titanium dioxide inkjet inks. The prepared dispersants were characterized using FTIR to monitor the reaction progress. Then the prepared dispersants were formulated in titanium dioxide inkjet inks formulation and characterized by particle size, dynamic surface tension, transmission electron microscopy, viscosity and zeta potential against commercial dispersants. Also, the study was extended to evaluate the printed polyester by using the prepared inks according to washing and crock fastness.
Findings
The obtained results showed that p-chloro aniline Polyether Monoamine (J) and succinic anhydride modified polyethylene glycol PEG 600 (H) dispersants provided optimum performance as compared to commercial standards especially, particle size distribution data while EO/PO Polyether Monoamine based on dispersant was against and then failed with the wettability and dispersion stability tests.
Practical implications
These ink formulations could be used for printing on cotton fabric by DTG technique of printing and can be used for other types of fabrics.
Originality/value
The newly prepared ink formulation for digital textile printing based on synthesized polyurethane prepolymers has the potential to be promising in this type of printing inks, to prevent clogging of nozzles on the printhead and to improve the print quality on the textile fiber.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, for their unwavering assistance and for their support to this study. He would like to extend his sincere thanks and appreciation to ESNA Chemicals Company for providing their valuable assistance and support.
Funding: There is no funding from any authority.
Citation
Hassanein, M., El Rahm, M.A., El Bary, H.M.A. and El-Wahab, H.A. (2023), "Physicochemical characterization of titanium dioxide inks for digital textile printing based on newly developed polyurethane prepolymers", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-03-2023-0025
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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