LAUSR

Abstract Direct electrochemical reduction of a vat dye used in the dyeing process has been hindered by poor electron transfer between the solid electrode and insoluble dye particles. In this reported work, carbon felt was employed as a cathode for the direct electrochemical reduction of CI Vat Yellow 1 using cyclic voltammetry and electrolytic experiments. By monitoring the reaction products from the electrolysis reaction, the reaction mechanism of the direct electrochemical reduction of CI Vat Yellow 1 was delineated and it was found to be a two-step, two-electron reduction reaction. Electrochemical dyeing experiments at the laboratory scale were also performed. The results showed that carbon felt is an excellent electrode material for the direct electrochemical reduction of CI Vat Yellow 1. Electrochemical dyeing results showed that color shade and washing fastness of the dyed fabric were comparable to traditional dyeing methods.