This study aims to develop a sustainable approach to textile colouration, which is imperative for a clean environment. Black pigment is a commonly used pigment in textiles, sourced from fossil fuels, contributing to significant health and environmental concerns.
An attempt has been made to utilise cotton and okra biochar derived from their respective waste materials, as a black pigment for textile printing. It was synthesised at four pyrolysis temperatures, e.g. 700 °C, 800 °C, 900 °C, 1,000 °C and subsequently printed onto the 100% cotton fabric through screen-printing technique. The printing results were compared with the fabrics printed using conventional black pigment for textile, conventional carbon black, cotton and okra biochar from waste. Colour properties of printed fabrics like shade depth (K/S), colour fastness properties, as well as other physical properties were investigated along with FTIR and SEM analysis.
The colour properties of biochar printed fabric were improved by increasing pyrolysis temperature of biochar synthesis, and maximum colour properties were exhibited by the printed fabrics when cotton and okra biochar were synthesised at 900 °C. Biochar printed fabrics exhibited shade depth values ranging from 7.14 to 3.68, while the conventional pigment printed fabric exhibited shade depth in the range of 3.81–3.49, and conventional carbon black exhibited shade depth in the range of 3.71–3.39. Abrasion resistance and air permeability properties of the biochar printed fabrics were also comparable to conventional black pigment.
The black pigment is obtained from post-consumer textile and plant waste, and it was successfully applied onto textile fabric with superior shade depth and performance properties. Thus, providing various socio-economic and environmental benefits.
