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The Formation of Polymers in Wool
Author(s) -
Wolfram L. J.,
Speakman J. B.
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
journal of the society of dyers and colourists
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1478-4408
pISSN - 0037-9859
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-4408.1961.tb02402.x
Subject(s) - wool , peracetic acid , chemistry , polymer , acrylonitrile , polymer chemistry , radical , cystine , nitrogen , organic chemistry , materials science , hydrogen peroxide , copolymer , cysteine , composite material , enzyme
The preferential internal deposition of polymer, which is brought about by first impregnating wool with a solution of potassium persulphate in 0·1·n sulphuric acid, and then adding acrylonitrile in an atmosphere of nitrogen, is not due to the formation of free radicals by the action of persulphate on cystine cross‐linkages. Owing to the affinity of wool for persulphate ions, their concentration inside the fibres greatly exceeds that in the surrounding medium, and free radicals are thus formed preferentially inside the fibres: S 2 O S ‐ →2 SO 4 ‐ , leading to preferential internal deposition of polymer. As would be expected, therefore, polymer is readily formed in Fibrolane, but not in wool whose basic groups have been blocked by acetylation or treatment with 1‐fiuoro·2.4‐dinitrobenzene, nor in wool which has been oxidised with peracetic acid.