Leather Science and Engineering ›› 2023, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2): 1-7.doi: 10.19677/j.issn.1004-7964.2023.02.001

    Next Articles

Effect of Hydrophilicity of Acrylic Resin Retanning Agent on Properties of Chrome-free Leather

SUN Qingyong1,3, ZENG Yunhang1,2, WANG Yanan1,2, YU Yue1,2, SHI Bi1,2,*   

  1. 1. National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
    2. Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
    3. Sichuan Decision New Material Technology Co., Ltd., Deyang 618000, China
  • Received:2022-09-23 Published:2023-04-01 Online:2023-03-21

Abstract: In comparison with chrome-tanned leather, chrome-free leather commonly presents natural defects, such as strong hydrophilicity and insufficient fiber dispersion. Designing a suitable retanning agent for chrome-free leather by regulating its hydrophilicity would be an effective strategy to solve these problems. In this work, the effect of the hydrophilicity (carboxyl monomer content) of acrylic resin (AR) retanning agent, synthesized by using acrylic acid and long-chain alkyl methacrylate, on the properties of organic chrome-free leather was investigated. The decrease in AR particle size and the increase in its surface negative charge were observed with increasing carboxyl content, thereby resulting in the improved penetration depth and distribution uniformity of AR in the organic chrome-free leather. When the content of acrylic monomer was 45%, AR fully penetrated the organic chrome-free leather and achieved the highest degree of fiber dispersion and appropriate hydrophobicity, which endows the resulting crust leather with satisfactory dry heat stability, tearing strength, and tensile strength. These results indicate that designing AR with suitable hydrophilicity is of great significance to improve the comprehensive performance of chrome-free leather.

Key words: acrylic polymer, hydrophilicity, retanning, chrome-free tanning, leather properties

CLC Number: