Submitted By: Roll No: Submitted To: Subject: Topic

Submitted By : M.
Yousaf
Roll No : PCH07193052
Submitted To : Mam Bushra
Subject : Dyes and pigments
Topic : Sulphur Dyes
University of Lahore SGD Campus
Sulphur linkages are the integral part of
chromophore in sulfur dyes. They are
organosulfur compounds consisting of sulphide (–
S–), disulphide (–S–S–) and polysulphide (–Sn–)
links in heterocyclic rings.
They feature thiazoles, thiazone, thianthrene, and
phenothiazonethioanthrone subunits. Being
nonionic, sulphur dyes are insoluble in water.
Types of Sulphur Dyes:

There are three classes of sulfur dyes, which
are available commercially,
(1)Conventional water insoluble
dyes which have no substantivity
to cellulosics.
(2)Solubilised sulfur dyes, which
are water soluble and non
substantive to cellulosics.
(3)Pre-reduced sulfur dyes, in the
stabilized leuco compound form,
which are substantive to
cellulosics.
Properties of Sulphur Dyes:
 These are water insoluble dyes and have no

affinity for the cellulosics as such, but
solubilised when treated with a weak alkaline
solution of sodium sulphide or any other
reducing agent to form a leuco compound.
 These leuco compounds are water soluble and
have affinity for the cellulosic materials such
as cotton, viscose, jute and flex etc.
 These dyes are absorbed by the cellulosic
material in the leuco form from aqueous
solution and when oxidized by suitable
oxidizing agents, got converted into insoluble
parent dye, which is fast to normal color
fastness parameters.
 Economical dyeing with excellent tinctorial

value and good build up properties.
 Good overall colorfastness properties such as
wash fastness, light fastness, perspiration
fastness etc. Moderate fastness to crocking
and poor fastness to chlorines bleaching
agents such as bleaching powder and sodium
hypochlorite.
 Limited shade range to produce only dull
shades and there is no true red dye in the
range.
 These dyes can be applied by exhaust, semi
continuous or continuous dyeing methods on
garment, yarn, knits, fabric as well as loose
stock etc.
 Available in powder, granules and liquid
forms.
 Sulphur black 1 is the major black dye used
world wide for dyeing of cellulosics.
 The conventional dyeing process is not
environment friendly due to pollution
problems of sodium sulphide as well as
sod/pot. Dichromates.
 When dyed by using non polluting reducing
and oxidizing agents the process is
environment friendly.
Common Problems and Corrective Action
1. Poor wash and rubbing fastness:

Poor washing and rubbing fastness is generally caused
by improper color dissolution ,color precipitation, poor
solubility of the dyes, poor and insufficient washing after
dyeing of unexhausted dyes and poor or insufficient
soaping treatment. To get overall good fastness
properties:
The dye dissolution must be complete and it should be
filtered before adding to the dye bath, because insoluble
dye particles ,if present , will stick at the outer surface of
the substrate causing unleveled dyeing and poor wash
and rub fastness.
The color should be dissolved in sufficient quantity of
water , by keeping in mind the maximum solubility of the
dye.
The water and the salt should be free from calcium and
magnesium , which, if present will make insoluble inert
salts , which precipitates especially in the closed dyeing
machines, in the form of sludge.
The washing after dyeing and soaping treatment must be
efficient to clear all the unused dye as well as chemicals ,
before going to the next operation such as oxidation and
neutralization respectively.
2. Bronziness :
There are various reasons for bronziness in the sulphur
dyed material such as, in sufficient quantity of sodium
sulphide or reducing agent , resulting into quick
oxidation of surface dyeing. The presence of excess
dyestuff on the material caused by high concentration of
of dye or electrolyte , delay between dropping of bath and
washing , oxidation step. Following are the corrective
actions for correcting and avoiding the bronziness
problem,
Proper dissolution of the dyestuff.
Thorough washing and treatment with reducing agent
before oxidation.
Use of surfactants, sequestering agents, dispersing
agents , dye bath stabilizers, and anti oxidants in
reducing bath.
Using sufficient and calculated quantity of reducing
agents.
Using appropriate quantity of electrolyte e.g. less than 15
gpl.
After treatment witj 2-3 gpl TR oil+ 1-2 cc/ltr of
ammonia in luke warm bath , to overcome the problem.
Treatment with soap solution at boiling temperature .
Using a blank bath of sodium sulphide .
3. Tendering:
Tendering means the loss of strength or degradation
of cellulosic materials upon storage. The tendering
is caused by the acid formation from the free
sulphur present in the dyed material by the action of
moisture and air. The acid produced reacts with
cellulose and degrade it , resulting in loss of
strength. The tendering can be minimized by giving
after treatments with acid neutralizing agents or by
weak alkaline washing at the end of dyeing process.
4. Poor color value :

Poor color value is caused by insufficient amount of
reducing agent , presence of calcium salts in water
and salt, over reduction of dyestuff , over oxidation
etc.
5. Correction of faulty dyeing :
If the dyeing results are unlevel , then these can be
corrected by
Leveling the dyed material by running in a blank
bath containing excess sodium sulphide,
dispersing ,sequestering agent, wetting agent at a
temperature of 80-90 degress, this treatment will
partially strip the color , which can be adjusted in a
fresh bath. Or alternatively the partial stripping can
be done by using caustic soda 5 gpl and hydros 5 gpl
at a higher temperature than the dyeing
temperature.
For poorly leveled material , the material is treated
with sodium or calcium hypochlorite , in which it is
treated with 2-3 gpl available chlorine at room
temperature, followed by thorough wash and
neutralization and antichlore treatment.
Environmental issues :
Due to the highly polluting nature of the dye-bath
effluent, sulfur dyes are being slowly phased out in
the West but they are used on a large scale in China.
Recent advances in dyeing technologies have
allowed the substitution of toxic sulfide reducing
agents. Glucose in basic solution is now used and
both low sulfide and zero sulfide products are
available. Future developments in the field of
reducing dye levels by means of electro-chemical
processes are promising.
References :
 Nagl, Gert (2000). "Sulfur Dyes". Ullmann's
Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-
VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_613.
 Peters R. H, “Textile Chemistry”, Vol - II, Elsevier
Publishing Company, London (1967)
 Parikshit Goswami, Montu Basak "Sulfur Dyes" in Kirk-
Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 2001,
John Wiley & Sons.
doi:10.1002/0471238961.1921120619051409.a01.pub2.
 Industrial Dyes: Chemistry, Properties, Applications"
Klaus Hunger, Ed. 2007, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.

Submitted By: Roll No: Submitted To: Subject: Topic

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Submitted By: Roll No: Submitted To: Subject: Topic

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Submitted By: Roll No: Submitted To: Subject: Topic

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Submitted By : M.

Types of Sulphur Dyes:

Properties of Sulphur Dyes:

 These are water insoluble dyes and have no

 Economical dyeing with excellent tinctorial

1. Poor wash and rubbing fastness:

4. Poor color value :

Klaus Hunger, Ed. 2007, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.

You might also like