Application of Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy to study degradation of the wool fiber keratin

Wool fibers and products made from them accompany a man almost from the daw n of history. Wool is still the most popular natural material and it is irr eplaceable for ecological reasons. However, environmental pollution makes i rreversible changes in the structure of wool fibers. Consequently, natural resources of quality precious materials decrease. This situation induces ac tions which lead to the regeneration of wool fibers. In laboratory conditio ns wool fiber keratin was exposed to the hydrolytic degradation process in alkaline environment and then the attempt of interruption of this process i n the presence of siliceous compounds was made. The changes in the structur e of wool fiber keratin were studied by means of Fourier-transform infrared and Raman Spectroscopy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .