Eco-dyeing of Wool Fabrics with Natural Dye Extracted from Leaves of Neem

More powerful of extraction natural dye from Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) with respect to different dye bath concentrations in the range 20-80 g/L on wool fabrics was the aim of the present work. Also, the effect of artificial daylight up to 160 hours on the wool fabrics was evaluated. The optical properties of the blank and dyed unexposed and exposed fabrics were determined using the spectrophotometric technique. From the obtained reflectance spectra, the CIE tristimulus values, the color parameters, the absorption coefficient, optical band gap energy, extinction coefficient and color strength were calculated as well as the washing fastness of the fabrics was tested. The results noted that wool fabrics were depended on both the dyeing concentration and the exposure to artificial daylight. The locations of blank and Neem dyed wool fabrics unexposed and exposed on the chromaticity diagram were different and confirmed the change in the spectral colors of the fabrics. The obtained changes in the values of the optical parameters may be attributed to the induced change in the molecular configuration and variations in the chemical bonds in the wool fabrics. Also, the results obtained indicate that the natural dye extracted from Neem leaves has good potential in textiles dyeing. Also, excellent colorfastness properties were obtained indicated that the dyed wool fabrics have good washing fastness properties.