The structure and properties of wool treated with a reversed-phase microemulsion containing aqueous alkali

In order to limit modification to the surface of wool fibers and decrease pollution caused by conventional chemical treatments using chlorine, a water-in-oil-type reversed-phase microemulsion with decamethylcyclopentasiloxane as the external phase was prepared containing very small amounts of an aqueous solution of alkali. The edges of the wool cuticle scales were modified by the alkali in aqueous solution contained in the reversed-phase microemulsion. The external phase decamethylcyclopentasiloxane can be recycled after application. In this paper, the solubility of water in the reversed-phase microemulsion and its stability were first studied and then it was applied in the treatment of wool. The results showed that surfactant sodium alcohol ether sulfate/NaOH aqueous solution was quite stable. Felting shrinkage of treated wool was reduced and the initial dyeing speed was higher than that for untreated wool. The corroded scales of treated wool were observed by scanning electron microscopy and the bromine Allworden reaction with bromine water was reduced or eliminated after treatment. This adsorbable organohalogen-free modification should be useful in improving the manufacturing properties of wool, such as hydrophilicity, and as a pretreatment for wool printing.