Study on Modification of Rabbit Hair Fibers with L-Cysteine

In the 2019 study by Xu Yongfu and Zhang Yi, rabbit hair fibers were successfully modified using L-cysteine and ultrasound to enhance their properties for industrial use. The optimal conditions for the modification process were identified as 0.05 mol/L L-cysteine concentration, 90 W ultrasonic power, 75°C water bath temperature, and 1 hour of ultrasonic treatment time. The most significant factor affecting the modification was the L-cysteine concentration. The treatment led to a 3% reduction in disulfide bonds, a decrease in the α-helix structure, and an increase in the β-folding structure of the fibers. Additionally, the surface brightness and scale angle of the fibers improved, and their dye adsorption capacity and spinnability were enhanced, with spinnability increasing by 20%. The study concluded that modifying rabbit hair fibers with L-cysteine using ultrasound is beneficial and could be applied in industrial settings.