Past chemical analyses of the epicuticle of wool have indicated that the chemical composition of the epicuticle is not too different from that of the fiber interior, yet significant differences in wetting behavior have been reported. Our present studies, using the surface analytical technique of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, have shown that the polar-reactive groups present at the surface are less accessible for reaction (with hexafluoroacetone) than those within the fiber interior. The difference in reactivity could be a reflection of conformational (hence steric) differences between the epicuticle and fiber interior.
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