Immobilization of biomolecular anthocyanin natural sensor into plasma-cured polyethylene terephthalate fibers from recycled plastic waste for determination of ammonia.

Polyester textiles have been applied in numerous industrial applications. Polyester fibers are characterized with being excellent insulators to electricity, having excellent flexural and impact strength, ease of manufacture, low-cost, as well as having resistance to moisture and chemicals. However, polyester fibers cannot be stained due to the absence of active dyeing sites on the surface of the fibrous structure. Thus, polyester cannot be dyed after it has been extruded. Herein, we report the development of novel-colored polyester fabrics using plasma-assisted dyeing and anthocyanin natural probe for determination of ammonia that may cause severe harmful effects to human organs and even death. Anthocyanin was extracted from red cabbage and characterized. The water-soluble anthocyanin was fastened to polyester fibers by mordant (potash alum) to generate anthocyanin-mordant coordinative complex nanoparticles. Polyester can be treated with thin layer of anthocyanin probe after activation with plasma. The results showed excellent colorfastness, ultraviolet blocking, and antibacterial performance of the anthocyanin-dyed polyester (APET) fibers. The APET fibers showed great potential for developing a portable colorimetric device for an on-site detection of ammonia. APET displayed a detection limit of aqueous ammonia in the range of 25-200 ppb, displaying a change in color from purple (542 nm) to white (387 nm).