Direct Dyeing with Malachite Green and Eosin Y

With direct dyeing, a dye is applied directly to the fabric without the aid of an affixing agent:

Malachite green is a triphenylmethane dye, where three aromatic rings are directly attached to a central sp2-hybridized carbon atom

Eosin Y is a dye derivatized from fluorescein, which is part of the xanthene family (two benzene rings joined by a methylene group and an oxygen atom)

Direct Dyeing Procedure

Obtain 20 mL of malachite green (left) or eosin y (right) solution in a beaker, cover with a watch glass
Add a strip of untreated fabric
Bring the system to a gentle boil on a hotplate for ~3 min., keeping it covered
Remove, soak in tap water, and then rinse until water runs clear

Malachite Green

A Cationic Dye (positively charged)

MG.mp4

Eosin Y

An uncharged Dye

EY.mp4

Results:

Record observations for each fiber. Feel free to get creative with naming colors.

Include comparisons of how well each dye absorbed onto different fibers (deeper or lighter shade).

malachite green

eosin y

Fibers (top to bottom) – acetate, cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic, and wool

Ingrain Dyeing (PARTS A/B)

Vat Dyeing (PART C)

Mordant Dyeing (PART E)

DONE WITH PARTS A-E! Go to clean-up & summary

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