Liposomes and Magnetic Liposomes: A Dual Strategy for Eco-Friendly Wool Dyeing

The textile industry is a major contributor to global environmental pollution, with the dyeing process being particularly resource-intensive and ecologically damaging. Synthetic dyes, especially azo dyes, are widely used but pose significant environmental and health risks due to their toxicity, nonbiodegradability, and persistence in ecosystems. This study investigates the potential of a liposomes-assisted wool dyeing process to achieve coloration comparable to industrial standards while using a reduced amount of dye, thereby minimizing environmental impact and resource consumption. Neutral, anionic, and cationic liposome formulations were developed to optimize composition for a more sustainable approach. Additionally, solid magnetic liposomes with different compositions were employed to remove unfixed dyes from the dyebath. Our findings highlight the potential of lipid-based technologies to advance sustainable textile manufacturing by improving dyeing efficiency, reducing dye usage, and mitigating ecological impacts. Correlations among liposome properties, wool coloration, and dye removal efficiency were investigated. Anionic and neutral liposomes yielded the best results in terms of coloration, while cationic magnetic liposomes were the most effective in removing azo dyes from water.