Sorption of higher concentrations of Cu(II) solution onto natural sheep wool or wool irradiated by an electron beam was studied. Sorption isotherms were of unexpected character, showing extremes. The samples with lower absorbed doses adsorbed less than non-irradiated wool, while higher doses led to increased sorption varying with both concentration and dose. FTIR spectra taken from the fibre surface and bulk were different. It was concluded that there was formation of Cu(II)-complexes of carboxylic and cysteic acids with ligands coming from various keratin macromolecules. Clusters of chains crosslinked through the ligands on the surface limit diffusion of Cu(II) into the bulk of fibre, thus decreasing the sorption. After exhausting the available ligands on the surface the remaining Cu(II) cations diffuse into the keratin bulk. Here, depending on accessibility of suitable ligands, Cu(II) creates simple or complex salts giving rise to the sorption extremes. Suggestion of a mechanism for this phenomenon is presented.
Keywords: clusters; copper complexes; copper sorption; electron irradiation; sheep wool.