Treatment of Wool with Metal Salts and their Effects on its Properties

Interaction of metal ions with wool is currently studied. The absorption of some metal ions such as copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, and aluminum by wool from their aqueous solutions is investigated. The treatment conditions, such as temperature and time of treatment, concentration of metal salts in the solutions, as well as the pH value, are interpreted. The effect of pretreatment of wool with some di- carboxylic acids on the metal uptake by wool is given. The influence of these absorbed metal ions on the different properties of wool, such as yellowness resistance against ultraviolet irradiation, whiteness index, as well as the effect of absorption of fluorescent brightener by aluminum pretreated wool, is investigated. The mechanical properties, alkali solubility, and antimicrobial activity are also investigated. The dyeability of the treated wool as well as kinetic investigation on the dyeing process is also given.