Microscopy and spectroscopy of wool fiber

Wool fiber has a unique fine structure and surface morphology. It comprises cuticle, cortex, cell membrane complex, as well as medulla and considers as a natural composite. Studies on wool fiber eventually led to scientific discoveries of gas chromatography and protein chemistry. The surface morphology and structural components of wool fiber have been analyzed by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques ranging from conventional microscopy to advanced X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This chapter briefly introduces microscopy and spectroscopy techniques employed for fiber analysis followed by a discussion on the role of spectroscopy and microscopy in understanding wool fiber structure, surface morphology, surface modification, and chemical interaction.