Question

Explain the term dye and mordant associated with paint.

Answer 1

• Dye is a type of compound that is used to impart the lasting distinctive color to textiles, food, paper, plastic, wood, and many other materials
• The coloring is not readily altered by washing, heat, light, or other factors to which the material is exposed.
• Thus, dye is used to color materials which don't readily remove by washing.

• A mordant is also known as dye fixative because it combines with a dye to enhance or improve its color intensity.
• The mordant works in such a way that polyvalent metal ions react with dye molecules that are present on fabric, forming a coordination complex with a dye.
• Thus mordant is used to bind dyes on fabrics.