Preparation and Characterization of Self-Dispersing Phthalocyanine Blue 15:4 Pigment for Dyeing of Wool Textiles

: A self-dispersing pigment was produced by a diazonium coupling reaction; the pigment reacted with aromatic diazonium salts which were generated by the reaction of p -aminobenzene sulfonic acid and sodium nitrite. The surface of the pigment particles was negatively charged due to sulfonic acid groups on the pigment surface. The pigment particle size and zeta potential were, respectively, 134.5 nm and − 45.4 mV at neutral pH. The wool surface was positively charged by adjusting the pH; then the anionic self-dispersing pigment dyed the cationic wool. The results show that self-dispersing pigment can adhere well without a binder, and that the K / S value is closely related to pH, dyeing time, and the amount of pigment. The color fastness of the wool was good and the light fastness of the wool was grade 5, which is better than acid dyes. Self-dispersing pigments are potential candidates for dyeing high-weather-resistance textiles.


Introduction
Traditionally, wool colorants are usually acid dyes, most of which contain sulfonate groups and are soluble in water [1][2][3]. Wool is mainly composed of protein, and has many carboxyl and amino groups. The isoelectric point of wool is about 4.2 to 4.8. The wool surface will remain neutral when the pH is at isoelectric point. When the pH is lower than the isoelectric point, the amino groups on the wool surface are protonated and the wool surface becomes positive. When the pH is higher than the isoelectric point, the carboxyl groups on the wool surface are ionized and the wool surface is negatively charged. Acid dyes bind to wool fabrics by ionic bonds under acidic conditions [4][5][6][7]. Dyeing wool fabrics is a solution-based process that consumes an excessive amount of water and energy, and pollutes the environment [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Azo dyes in acid dyes are banned because of the risk of carcinogenesis [14,15]. In recent years, new colorants and dyeing methods have been developed [16,17].
Pigments have strong coloring power, bright color, complete color spectrum, acid/alkali resistance, good weather resistance, and are widely used in textile, paint, ink, plastic, rubber, and other industries [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Pigments are widely used in textile printing and coating dyeing because they are suitable for coloring different fibers and because they are eco-friendly. Pigment dyeing connects the pigment with fabric mostly by latex binders [25][26][27]. The fabric dyeing performance obviously depends on the quality of pigment dispersion, mainly the degree of dispersion and stability [28,29]. In recent years, the development of pigment products with high dispersion and stability has been the subject of a number of studies mainly involved in treating pigment with dispersant to reduce particle size [30][31][32]; for example, superfine pigments with an average particle size of 100-500 nm. Fabrics dyed with pigments having smaller particle size can achieve higher color intensity and

Dyeing Procedure
Wool fiber dyed with water-based self-dispersing pigments was treated at a liquor ratio of 1:50; the method is shown in Figure 2. As for dyeing with Acid Blue 93, samples were dyed using dyes instead of pigment under the same heating process shown in Figure 2. The pH was adjusted by buffer solution composed of Na2HPO4 and citric acid.

Testing and Measurements
2.4.1. Particle Size, PDI, and Zeta Potential The particle diameter, and PDI, and the zeta potential of pigment dispersions were determined by dynamic light scattering using a Zetasizer Nano ZS Nano-Zeta potential analyzer (Malvern Panalytical Co., Malvern, UK). The dispersions were diluted before measurement.

Dyeing Procedure
Wool fiber dyed with water-based self-dispersing pigments was treated at a liquor ratio of 1:50; the method is shown in Figure 2. As for dyeing with Acid Blue 93, samples were dyed using dyes instead of pigment under the same heating process shown in Figure 2. The pH was adjusted by buffer solution composed of Na 2 HPO 4 and citric acid.

Dyeing Procedure
Wool fiber dyed with water-based self-dispersing pigments was treated at a liquor ratio of 1:50; the method is shown in Figure 2. As for dyeing with Acid Blue 93, samples were dyed using dyes instead of pigment under the same heating process shown in Figure 2. The pH was adjusted by buffer solution composed of Na2HPO4 and citric acid.

Testing and Measurements
2.4.1. Particle Size, PDI, and Zeta Potential The particle diameter, and PDI, and the zeta potential of pigment dispersions were determined by dynamic light scattering using a Zetasizer Nano ZS Nano-Zeta potential analyzer (Malvern Panalytical Co., Malvern, UK). The dispersions were diluted before measurement.

Testing and Measurements
2.4.1. Particle Size, PDI, and Zeta Potential The particle diameter, and PDI, and the zeta potential of pigment dispersions were determined by dynamic light scattering using a Zetasizer Nano ZS Nano-Zeta potential analyzer (Malvern Panalytical Co., Malvern, UK). The dispersions were diluted before measurement.

Absorption of Pigment and Pigment Uptake
The absorbance was measured at a selected time t on a SPECORD S600 spectrophotometer (Analytik Jena AG, Jena, Germany) at the wavelength of maximum absorption (619 nm) of the pigment. The pigment uptake was calculated according to the following equation: where E t is pigment uptake at time t, D is the absorbance of the dye bath at time t, and D 0 is the absorbance of the original dye bath.

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) Measurements
XPS measurements were taken in a Thermo Kalpha (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA, USA) using a monochromatic Al Kα X-ray source to analyze the compositions of samples.

Color Strength
The K/S values indicate the depth of shade reflected from the dyed fabric surface. K/S = (1 − R 2 )/2R. R is the reflectance of the dyed fabric at the maximum absorption wavelength, and K/S is the ratio of the absorption coefficient (K) and the scattering coefficient (S). The larger the K/S value, the darker the color-that is, the higher the concentration of colored substances, the smaller the K/S value and the lighter the color. The measurement was carried out using a Hunterlab Ultrascan PRO reflectance spectrophotometer (HunterLab. Co., Ltd, Reston, VA, USA) under illuminant D65 using the 10 • standard observer. Color strength (K/S) was calculated using the Kubelka-Munk equation.

Rubbing Fastness
To evaluate the rubbing fastness of dyed wool fabrics, samples were tested by a Y571B rubbing fastness tester (Nantong Hongda Experiment Instruments Co., Ltd., Nantong, China) using both dry and wet processes. The grade of rubbing fastness was determined according to the standard ISO 105-X12:2001.

Light Fastness
Light fastness was analyzed by exposing the dyed wool yarns for 40 h in a light fastness tester ATLAS-150S (ATLAS Co., Ltd., Essen, Germany). Light fastness was determined according to the standard ISO 105-B02:2000.

Dye Permeability
An SEM S-4800 (Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) was used to observe the dyeing and morphology of the fabric at an acceleration voltage of 3 kV.

Particle Size, PDI, and Zeta Potential
The particle size has an effect on the permeability, coating, and color fastness of the pigment. The polydispersity index (PDI) provides information about the width of particle size distribution and affects the saturation of colored fabrics. Zeta potential influences the stability of pigment dispersion. Table 1 shows the results of water-based self-dispersing pigment modified by p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid. Here we combined physical sand milling technology and chemical modification technology. We successfully prepared the water-based self-dispersing nanoparticles at a size of 134.5 nm, which is significantly smaller than the traditional dispersing particle size of 0.5-1.5 um [34]. Data are summarized in Table 1. The PDI of 0.216 shows that the pigment was uniform enough for dyeing. The self-dispersing pigment presented a zeta potential of −45.4 mV at neutral pH, indicating that pigment particles carried plenty of negative charge. Through a diazotization reaction, the hydrophilic sulfonic acid group was grafted to the pigment surface, so that the pigment surface had a large amount of negative charge. Electrostatic repulsion had the effect of forming a stable, highly dispersed pigment in the water. After the removal of impurities by dialysis, dyeing pastes were obtained.

UV-Vis Absorption
We knew that if the color of the modified pigment changed greatly, it would cause a lot of trouble for later application, modification, and development of other pigments. The objective was for the color to remain the same, and to achieve the maximum retention of the optical properties before and after modification. Therefore, in order to verify whether the color of the modified pigment was changed, an absorption vs. wavelength curve was obtained with a UV-visible spectrophotometer, as shown in Figure 3. It can be seen from the figure that the curve was basically the same, and that the modified pigment had the same color as the unmodified pigment.
Coatings 2020, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 12 carried plenty of negative charge. Through a diazotization reaction, the hydrophilic sulfonic acid group was grafted to the pigment surface, so that the pigment surface had a large amount of negative charge. Electrostatic repulsion had the effect of forming a stable, highly dispersed pigment in the water. After the removal of impurities by dialysis, dyeing pastes were obtained.

UV-Vis Absorption
We knew that if the color of the modified pigment changed greatly, it would cause a lot of trouble for later application, modification, and development of other pigments. The objective was for the color to remain the same, and to achieve the maximum retention of the optical properties before and after modification. Therefore, in order to verify whether the color of the modified pigment was changed, an absorption vs. wavelength curve was obtained with a UV-visible spectrophotometer, as shown in Figure 3. It can be seen from the figure that the curve was basically the same, and that the modified pigment had the same color as the unmodified pigment.

XPS
The prepared water-based self-dispersing pigment (modified pigment) and unmodified pigment were dried to a powder at 80 °C for one hour, and samples were measured using a monochromatic Al Kα X-ray source to analyze the compositions. Compared with the physical absorption of dispersants used in the traditional method of dispersing pigments, the modification method in this paper was a chemical modification with the addition of a sulfonic acid group, so the chemical element composition of pigments was bound to change. Changes to oxygen and sulfur content have important characterization significance. As can be seen from Table 2, the content of oxygen increased from 3.07% to 10.19%, and the content of sulfur increased from 0.21% to 1.74%. The increase of oxygen and sulfur showed that the sulfonic acid group reacted to the surface of the pigment. Combined with the above comprehensive verification, it can be concluded that the waterbased self-dispersing pigments were successfully prepared.

XPS
The prepared water-based self-dispersing pigment (modified pigment) and unmodified pigment were dried to a powder at 80 • C for one hour, and samples were measured using a monochromatic Al Kα X-ray source to analyze the compositions. Compared with the physical absorption of dispersants used in the traditional method of dispersing pigments, the modification method in this paper was a chemical modification with the addition of a sulfonic acid group, so the chemical element composition of pigments was bound to change. Changes to oxygen and sulfur content have important characterization significance. As can be seen from Table 2, the content of oxygen increased from 3.07% to 10.19%, and the content of sulfur increased from 0.21% to 1.74%. The increase of oxygen and sulfur showed that the sulfonic acid group reacted to the surface of the pigment. Combined with the above comprehensive verification, it can be concluded that the water-based self-dispersing pigments were successfully prepared.

Effect of Dyebath pH on Uptake
The most critical factor influencing wool dyeing is pH, because wool has an isoelectric point [34]. This is the key variable regarding exploration of the impact of pH on wool dyeing, and this article explores changes in pH from 2.5 to 8, at a dyeing time of 60 min, and with 2% owf modified pigment. Figure 4 shows that with the increase of pH, the uptake of pigments decreased. The highest uptake was 91.2% with pH 2.5, so we can say that the rate of dyeing increased as pH decreased. Dyeing under the condition of acid or alkali will produce larger damage to fabric, so a pH of 2.5 should be chosen to reach a better result.

Effect of Dyebath pH on Uptake
The most critical factor influencing wool dyeing is pH, because wool has an isoelectric point [34]. This is the key variable regarding exploration of the impact of pH on wool dyeing, and this article explores changes in pH from 2.5 to 8, at a dyeing time of 60 min, and with 2% owf modified pigment. Figure 4 shows that with the increase of pH, the uptake of pigments decreased. The highest uptake was 91.2% with pH 2.5, so we can say that the rate of dyeing increased as pH decreased. Dyeing under the condition of acid or alkali will produce larger damage to fabric, so a pH of 2.5 should be chosen to reach a better result.

Effect of Dyeing Time on Uptake
Higher uptakes and shorter dyeing times have a great impact on actual production. If uptakes can reach 100% in a short period of time, the treatment of wastewater from dyeing and finishing processes will be greatly improved and will have a measurable impact on the goal of water conservation. Therefore, we studied the change of uptake over time at pH 2.5 and with 2% owf modified pigment, as shown in Figure 5. We can see that the uptake increased with the increase of dyeing time. When the dyeing time was 100 min, the dyeing rate reached 98%, or close to 100%. So, the dyeing method is feasible.

Effect of Dyeing Time on Uptake
Higher uptakes and shorter dyeing times have a great impact on actual production. If uptakes can reach 100% in a short period of time, the treatment of wastewater from dyeing and finishing processes will be greatly improved and will have a measurable impact on the goal of water conservation. Therefore, we studied the change of uptake over time at pH 2.5 and with 2% owf modified pigment, as shown in Figure 5. We can see that the uptake increased with the increase of dyeing time. When the dyeing time was 100 min, the dyeing rate reached 98%, or close to 100%. So, the dyeing method is feasible.

Effect of Dyeing Time on K/S Value
K/S value is often used to indicate the apparent color depth of dyed fabrics. When the value is higher, the dyeing color is better. We studied the change of K/S over time at pH 2.5 and with 2% owf modified pigment. As shown in Figure 6, it can be seen that the K/S value increased with the extension of dyeing time. At 80 min, the K/S value of the fabric reached 13.19, indicating that the fabric was deeply dyed [34][35][36]. Considering the influence of too-long dyeing times on production and processing, the dyeing time of 80 min was able to achieve a better effect.  3.6. Effect of Dyeing Time on K/S Value K/S value is often used to indicate the apparent color depth of dyed fabrics. When the value is higher, the dyeing color is better. We studied the change of K/S over time at pH 2.5 and with 2% owf modified pigment. As shown in Figure 6, it can be seen that the K/S value increased with the extension of dyeing time. At 80 min, the K/S value of the fabric reached 13.19, indicating that the fabric was deeply dyed [34][35][36]. Considering the influence of too-long dyeing times on production and processing, the dyeing time of 80 min was able to achieve a better effect.

Effect of Dyeing Time on K/S Value
K/S value is often used to indicate the apparent color depth of dyed fabrics. When the value is higher, the dyeing color is better. We studied the change of K/S over time at pH 2.5 and with 2% owf modified pigment. As shown in Figure 6, it can be seen that the K/S value increased with the extension of dyeing time. At 80 min, the K/S value of the fabric reached 13.19, indicating that the fabric was deeply dyed [34][35][36]. Considering the influence of too-long dyeing times on production and processing, the dyeing time of 80 min was able to achieve a better effect.

Effect of Pigment Amount on K/S Value
The amount of pigment can affect the contact probability between pigment and fabric, as well as the complete dyeing of fabric. Therefore, at pH 2.5 and a dyeing time 60 min, we analyzed the change of K/S value with the amount of pigment. As shown in Figure 7, the K/S value was maximum at 1% owf. When the amount of pigment was increased, the K/S decreased and did not have the expected effect. Considering the influence of dyeing fastness on color fading in later tests, the data from the experiment and the color depth of dyeing liquid after dyeing were used to comprehensively determine that the pigment dosage at 2% owf could achieve a better effect.

Effect of Pigment Amount on K/S Value
The amount of pigment can affect the contact probability between pigment and fabric, as well as the complete dyeing of fabric. Therefore, at pH 2.5 and a dyeing time 60 min, we analyzed the change of K/S value with the amount of pigment. As shown in Figure 7, the K/S value was maximum at 1% owf. When the amount of pigment was increased, the K/S decreased and did not have the expected effect. Considering the influence of dyeing fastness on color fading in later tests, the data from the experiment and the color depth of dyeing liquid after dyeing were used to comprehensively determine that the pigment dosage at 2% owf could achieve a better effect.

Comparison of Distribution on Dyed Fabric
In order to compare the chromaticity distribution of modified pigment and dye on dyed wool yarn, the dyed fabric, with modified pigment and Acid Blue 93, was sliced and observed by SEM. The result is shown in Figure 8. The modified pigment was obviously present on the surface of the fiber, and there was a large number of concentrated large particles deposited on the fiber, indicating that the pigment could be properly dyed on the fiber [38]. The Acid Blue 93 dyeing fiber had no obvious large particle deposition on the surface, and the wool scale layer could also be clearly seen, indicating that more dye had entered into the fiber, so the permeability was better. The reason is that the particle size of the modified pigment was larger than the dye.

Comparison of Distribution on Dyed Fabric
In order to compare the chromaticity distribution of modified pigment and dye on dyed wool yarn, the dyed fabric, with modified pigment and Acid Blue 93, was sliced and observed by SEM. The result is shown in Figure 8. The modified pigment was obviously present on the surface of the fiber, and there was a large number of concentrated large particles deposited on the fiber, indicating that the pigment could be properly dyed on the fiber [38]. The Acid Blue 93 dyeing fiber had no obvious large particle deposition on the surface, and the wool scale layer could also be clearly seen, indicating that more dye had entered into the fiber, so the permeability was better. The reason is that the particle size of the modified pigment was larger than the dye.

Effect of Pigment Amount on K/S Value
The amount of pigment can affect the contact probability between pigment and fabric, as well as the complete dyeing of fabric. Therefore, at pH 2.5 and a dyeing time 60 min, we analyzed the change of K/S value with the amount of pigment. As shown in Figure 7, the K/S value was maximum at 1% owf. When the amount of pigment was increased, the K/S decreased and did not have the expected effect. Considering the influence of dyeing fastness on color fading in later tests, the data from the experiment and the color depth of dyeing liquid after dyeing were used to comprehensively determine that the pigment dosage at 2% owf could achieve a better effect.

Comparison of Distribution on Dyed Fabric
In order to compare the chromaticity distribution of modified pigment and dye on dyed wool yarn, the dyed fabric, with modified pigment and Acid Blue 93, was sliced and observed by SEM. The result is shown in Figure 8. The modified pigment was obviously present on the surface of the fiber, and there was a large number of concentrated large particles deposited on the fiber, indicating that the pigment could be properly dyed on the fiber [38]. The Acid Blue 93 dyeing fiber had no obvious large particle deposition on the surface, and the wool scale layer could also be clearly seen, indicating that more dye had entered into the fiber, so the permeability was better. The reason is that the particle size of the modified pigment was larger than the dye.

Comparison of Fastness
It can be seen from Figure 9 and Table 3 that the color of wool fabrics dyed by modified pigments showed little change, while the color of wool fabrics dyed by acid dyes showed great change. So, we can conclude that the color fastness of the modified-pigment-dyed fabric was better than that of the fabric dyed with the acid dye [34][35][36]38]. The chemical bond energy of pigments is high and the resistance to light is strong, which is the reason for the high light fastness. However, when dyes are chosen for colorants, the light damage to them is greater, and the fastness to light is even worse. The two colorants have no difference in rubbing fastness.

Comparison of Fastness
It can be seen from Figure 9 and Table 3 that the color of wool fabrics dyed by modified pigments showed little change, while the color of wool fabrics dyed by acid dyes showed great change. So, we can conclude that the color fastness of the modified-pigment-dyed fabric was better than that of the fabric dyed with the acid dye [34][35][36]38]. The chemical bond energy of pigments is high and the resistance to light is strong, which is the reason for the high light fastness. However, when dyes are chosen for colorants, the light damage to them is greater, and the fastness to light is even worse. The two colorants have no difference in rubbing fastness.

Conclusions
By physical grinding and chemical modification, the hydrophilic sulfonic acid group on paminobenzene sulfonic acid was successfully grafted through a diazotization reaction under the action of high-speed grinding, and a water-based self-dispersing pigment with a particle size of 134.5 nm, a PDI of 0.216, and a zeta potential −45.4 mV was successfully prepared. The uptake of dyed wool fabric reached 90% with a pH of 2.5, a dyeing temperature of 90 °C , a dyeing time of 80 min, and a pigment dosage of 2% owf. The K/S value reached 13.19, resulting in a better dyeing effect. When the dyeing time was extended to 100 min, the uptake reached 98%, close to 100%. At the same time, the evenness of dyeing was good and the weather resistance was excellent. Dry-rubbing fastness and wet-rubbing fastness were nearly the same compared to acid dyes used for dying textiles. The self-dispersed pigment dying method may be a useful tool for producing high-grade light-fast fabrics.

Conclusions
By physical grinding and chemical modification, the hydrophilic sulfonic acid group on p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid was successfully grafted through a diazotization reaction under the action of high-speed grinding, and a water-based self-dispersing pigment with a particle size of 134.5 nm, a PDI of 0.216, and a zeta potential −45.4 mV was successfully prepared. The uptake of dyed wool fabric reached 90% with a pH of 2.5, a dyeing temperature of 90 • C, a dyeing time of 80 min, and a pigment dosage of 2% owf. The K/S value reached 13.19, resulting in a better dyeing effect. When the dyeing time was extended to 100 min, the uptake reached 98%, close to 100%. At the same time, the evenness of dyeing was good and the weather resistance was excellent. Dry-rubbing fastness and wet-rubbing fastness were nearly the same compared to acid dyes used for dying textiles. The self-dispersed pigment dying method may be a useful tool for producing high-grade light-fast fabrics.