Effect of Reduction and Succinylation on Water Absorbance of Wool Fibers

Abstract

Succinylation and reduction of wool fibers increase their water absorbability and enhance the re-use of waste wool fibers for functional materials. Water absorbability of these fibers improves with simple reduction and corresponds fairly well with the SH content of the reduced wool. When wool fibers are reduced and succinylated, water absorbability rises remarkably with increased add-on of succinic anhydride. In its most absorbent state, the reduced and succinylated wool holds 39 g · water/g · wool. The carboxyl groups introduced by succinylation into the fibers significantly contribute to the increased water absorbance of reduced and succinylated wool.