Novel nano BaTiO3-based microwave vacuum treatment for precise and controllable scales stripping of wool fibers

Barium titanate nanoparticles were used as a locator to help accurately break the scales on the surface of wool fibers under microwave vacuum treatment, as an anti-felting process of wool with low environmental impact. The nanoparticles loaded by ultrasound are sandwiched between the scales and fibers, which allows the microwave energy concentration to break the scales for the shrink resistance of wool and avoid damaging the main body of fibers synchronously. The friction and mechanical properties of wool under microwave treatment with different power, temperature and processing time were discussed, morphological and chemical analysis of the fibers after treatment was also carried out. The results suggested that compared with the uncoated fibers, the anti-felting performance of the coated fibers after treatment had been significantly improved, while maintaining the mechanical properties, the tip end of the scales on the wool surface were cut off and the volume of the felting ball was increased by 82.3%. The nanoparticles coating the wool were also easily cleaned without residue. This study provided a novel potential approach in the modification of wool fibers for anti-felting.