Sustainable Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics with Papaver rhoeas-Derived Anthocyanins: Impact of Mordant and Acid Types

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1. Department of Art, Carpet Group, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

2 1. Department of Art, Shahrekord University, P.O. Box: 5681188617, Shahrekord, Iran.

Abstract

This study explored the eco-friendly application of natural dyes extracted from Papaver rhoeas petals for cotton fabric coloration. Due to growing environmental concerns, natural dyes are being considered as alternatives to synthetic dyes; however, they often suffer from low color strength and poor fastness. To overcome these challenges, this study examined how different mordanting methods, including pre-, meta-, and post-mordanting, a range of metallic and plant-based mordants, and various acid types influence dyeing performance. The petals of Papaver rhoeas contain anthocyanins, especially cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, which provide bright red to purple shades. The results showed that the mordanting method, acid type, and mordant type significantly affected color strength, shade, and fastness properties. Among the tested acids, citric and oxalic acids provided the most favorable dyeing performance, while meta-mordanting was the most effective method overall. Furthermore, natural mordants such as pomegranate rind, oak bark, and Juglans regia performed as well as or better than traditional metal mordants such as tin and iron. Pomegranate rind produced the highest color strength, while these bio-mordants improved color depth and durability. Overall, the study demonstrates that when appropriate mordanting methods, mordant types, and acid types are selected, Papaver rhoeas can be used as an effective and sustainable natural dye for cotton fabrics.

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