Closing the Loop: Dyeing and Adsorption Potential of Mulberry Wood Waste

Abstract

This study reports the successful transformation of mulberry wood waste into natural textile dye and adsorbent for Pb2+ ions from an aqueous solution. Fabrics of different chemical compositions were dyed using mulberry wood extract, whereas wool possessed the best appearance and color fastness to washing. Among differently dyed wool fabrics, those dyed with 15% extract for 5 h has the highest color strength (K/S = 11.24) and antioxidant activity (83.5%), and the best color and antioxidant activity fastness to washing, making it appropriate for protecting the skin from diverse damages by decelerating the effect of free radical. Moreover, it could be suggested that the binding mechanism proceeds via strong hydrogen bonds between wool surface carboxylate groups and characteristic phenolics found in the extract (dominantly taxifolin, oxyresveratrol, ellagic acid, and tannins). The mulberry wood solid parts separated after the extraction were further evaluated as adsorbents for Pb2+ ions. The highest lead removal was achieved at a solution pH of 5.5, while the equilibrium removal was reached after 4 h of contact time. At 20 mg/l initial lead concentration, the mulberry wood waste removal efficiency was 98.8%. The results of this study represent a step forward to a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable society.