Textile composite with iron oxide film

Abstract

A colored textile composite is produced by forming an iron (III) oxide film on a textile surface. This is accomplished by contacting the textile with an aqueous solution having an iron (II) or iron (III) species present. The iron (II) ion resulting from the dissociated iron (II) salt, if an iron (II) salt is utilized, is first hydrolyzed within the aqueous solution and then oxidized under controlled conditions to form iron (III) oxide (hydroxide). The iron (III) ion resulting from the dissociated iron (III) salt, if an iron (III) salt is utilized, is only hydrolyzed under controlled condition to form iron (III) oxide (hydroxide). The iron (III) oxide is then nucleated and forms a smooth and coherent iron (III) oxide film or coating on the surface of the textile without forming an insoluble iron (III) hydroxide precipitate in the solution. This reaction occurs because the reaction conditions are controlled in such a manner as to form sub-colloidal sized iron oxide particles which, in turn, permits a faster rate of adsorption of the iron (III) oxides onto the substrate surface than the rate of formation of the same particles. The iron (III) oxide formed may be goethite, hematite, or magnetite or any mixture thereof. Varying the type of oxide formed allows control over the color shade and other properties of the treated textile composite.