Uptake of Copper(II) by Wool

The uptake of copper(II) onto wool from aqueous solutions of copper(II) sulfate is investigated as a function of treatment time and temperature, amount of copper applied, and pH. Longer heating times and higher temperatures lead to increased uptake: 1 hour near the boil gives optimal results. Increasing the amount of applied copper increases the total uptake, but the fraction of applied copper taken up decreases with the amount applied. As pH is increased, copper uptake increases linearly with pH up to a pH of approximately 6; above pH 6, solid copper salts are precipitated. The possibility of specific buffer interference with copper uptake is discussed.