University Chemistry ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (8): 250-259.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202507099

• Science Education • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Chromatic convergence: a textile experiment bridging natural and synthetic dyes

Pingping Liu, Dandan Tang, Zhifeng Li, Xiaowen Han, Guoling Zhang, Pu Chen, Hai-Tao Feng   

  1. College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Baoji University of Arts and Sciences, Baoji 721013, Shaanxi Province, China
  • Received:2025-07-21 Accepted:2025-09-01 Published:2026-08-25
  • Contact: Pu Chen, Hai-Tao Feng E-mail:occp123456@126.com;haitaofeng907@163.com

Abstract: While dyes permeate daily life, public understanding of their application chemistry remains limited. This experimental study employs natural dyes (turmeric and gallnut powders) alongside synthetic counterparts (Direct Blue 71 and Reactive Red 2) to demonstrate three distinct dyeing mechanisms: direct application, mordant-assisted, and reactive dyeing processes. The investigation systematically examines colorimetric variations in dyed textiles under controlled pH conditions, with particular emphasis on dye stability assessment. Designed as an accessible public outreach initiative, this experiment progresses from fundamental concepts to advanced applications, effectively bridging chemical principles with practical textile technology while promoting scientific literacy through reproducible, user-friendly protocols.

Key words: Natural dyes, Synthetic dyes, Fabrics, Chemistry in daily life