PHOTODEGRADATION OF AN ANTHRAQUINONE TYPE DISPERSE DYE ON POLYESTER, DIACETATE, AND TRIACETATE FIBERS, AND IN SOLUTION

In a previous paper, the photodegradation behavior of an azo type disp erse dye on polyester and nylon fibers, was reported (Katsuda, N., Tak agishi, T., Yabushita, S. & Hshizume, S., Dyes and Pigments, 31 (1996) 291). In this present paper, the photodegradation behavior of an anth raquinone type disperse dye on fibers such as polyester, diacetate, an d triacetate, and in particular on polyester fiber, and in solution ha ve been investigated. The fiber itself and the dyed fiber were irradia ted with monochromatic light of 20 different wavelengths from 201 to 7 01 nm, using as light source a Xenon lamp divided into 20 wavelength p arts. The photodegradation behavior at each wavelength was examined to elucidate the mechanism of the photofading of the dye on the fibers. It was observed that the disperse dye on polyester fiber was significa ntly affected at around 316 nm. The same dye on diacetate and triaceta te fibers underwent photofading near 230 and 259 nm, respectively. The fiber itself was influenced remarkably at the corresponding wavelengt h. To clarify these situations, the photodegradation of the dye in eth yl acetate containing dissolved polyester was checked. The dye was fou nd to be degraded markedly at 316 nm also when polyester was present i n the system. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.