Probing the Photoluminescence Characteristics and Dyeability of Dyed Luminous Polypropylene Fabric

Luminous polypropylene fibers were melt-spun using different amounts of phosphor strontium aluminate (SrAl₂O₄: Eu₊₂, Dy₊₃) as luminescent agent. The knitted fabrics were then prepared from these fibers and dyed with various disperse dyes, acid and basic dyes. Photoluminescence and dyeability properties of the fabrics were studied. According to the photoluminescence spectroscopy results, a broad peak with a maximum at around 540 nm was observed for luminous fabrics after exciting at the wavelength of 400 nm, indicating that luminescent particles were not destroyed or destructured during masterbatch preparation and melt spinning process. The dyeing performance of luminous PP fabrics was further evaluated by the color strength (K/S values) and photographic images. Interesting improvement of the K/S values was observed for the luminous fabric dyed with acid dye. The results showed that the ionic charge of dye used and its molecular size could be affected the afterglow intensity of dyed luminous fabrics. Although dyed luminous fabrics showed afterglow properties, the afterglow intensity diminished by enhancing the dyeability because of increased interference of dye molecules with luminescent particles. The color coordinates L^*,a^*,b^*,c^*, and ΔE specifications of dyed fabrics were marginally influenced in the presence of luminescent particles.