AI Insight
Researchers developed a sustainable method for modifying wool fiber surfaces using a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) made from choline chloride and ascorbic acid. This treatment partially removes keratin-associated proteins by breaking disulfide bonds while preserving the protein's main structure, exposing more hydrophilic groups. The method successfully improved wool's water absorption, dye uptake, and anti-felting properties to meet industrial standards.
Why it matters
This approach offers a greener alternative to current wool treatment methods that rely on harsh oxidation or enzyme processes, reducing treatment time, energy consumption, and chemical usage. The technique could make textile processing more environmentally sustainable while maintaining industrial quality standards.
Understand the Science
by Zhe Jiang
Herein, we proposed a mild and effective approach for the surface modification of wool fiber using a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) composed of choline chloride and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), avoiding the unsustainability of oxidation methods and severe damage of enzyme methods. The results showed that the NADES could remove keratin-associated proteins partly due to the breakage of disulfide bonds with the retention of the protein’s main macromolecular skeleton and secondary structure, and the exposure degree increase of hydrophilic groups. Furthermore, the hydrophily, dye performance, and anti-felting properties were improved and met industrial standards. The developed method had apparent advances in treatment time, energy consumption, and chemical usage compared to present methods. This work contributes to the further investigation of NADES on the protein modification.