Title
Cationic dyeable antibacterial jute obtained through grafting
Authors
M. D. TELI JAVED SHEIKH and ANKITA RAJAMOHAN

Received November 16, 2013
Published Volume 49 Issue 5-6 May-June
Keywords jute, grafting, dyeing, cationic dyes, Cu salt treatment, antibacterial activity

Abstract
In the current study, jute fabric was grafted with acrylic acid (AA) using potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator. The graft polymerization parameters were optimized in terms of temperature, time, initiator and monomer concentrations. The grafted product was characterized using FTIR and TGA and further evaluated for moisture regain and yellowness index properties. The ungrafted and grafted fabrics were then dyed using cationic dyes. In order to get cationic dyed antibacterial jute, the dyed jute was treated with copper sulfate and the effect of the treatment on the obtained shade, fastness and antibacterial activity was studied. Grafted jute showed distinct improvement in colour value and fastness properties. The copper sulfate treatment of dyed jute imparted efficient antibacterial activity to jute against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria with negligible influence on appearance.