Photostability enhancement of Methyl orange by intercalation into hydrotalcite, and its dyeing on cotton

The aim of this study is the improvement of the photostability of anionic dye, methyl orange(MO), by intercalation into the hydrotalcite layer (Mg-F-MO LDH). It was found that the thermostability of MO was markedly improved by intercalation into the hydrotalcite host, whilst the photostability was enhanced slightly. The effect of the stability enhancement is larger when the amount of introduced MO exceeds 0.21 g/g-host, or when the layer charge density of the hydrotalcite is larger. Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis revealed the presence of hosteguest interactions between hydrotalcite layers and MO anions. With an isothermal heating at 100C and 150 C for 2 h, the material exhibited a colour retention of approximately 95%. Mg-Fe-MO LDH were found to have much higher colour strengthstrength than that obtained in MO.The application of MO and Mg-Fe-MO LDH for dyeing cotton fabric by exhaust method. It was found that washing fastness, rubbing fastness and light fastness produced with Mg-Fe-MO LDH have better colour strength than the MO.