Oxygen plasma modification of wool fibre surfaces

A range of oxygen plasma treatments has been used to modify the surfaces of woven and fibrous wool samples. The resulting chemistry and composition have been characterised using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The extent of oxidation of di‐sulphide bonds to sulphur (SVI), in the form of sulphonic acid groups (−SO3H), by the plasma is shown to be only about 20–30% compared to 100% using a conventional wet chlorination process. However, the plasma does appear to react with surface carbon of the protein structure, leading to an increase in carbon‐oxygen functionalities. Total levels of surface oxygen achieved using the plasma technique are similar to those from the wet process.