Oral · Pages 98–102
Abstract
Research summary supplied by the authors
In this work, re-tanning agents based on sodium alginate derivatives (SADs) were obtained by ultrasonic (US) treatment and used in lab and micro-pilot tests. The working conditions (US frequency and intensity, time, temperature) and H2O2 or catalyst presence were varied to obtain a product with suitable viscosity and oxidation degree. Molecular weight of SAD samples was measured by gel permeation chromatography. The aldehyde groups presence was checked by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The SADs ability to bind to collagen was evaluated by micro-Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The best SAD was synthetized on micro-pilot scale and tested as re-tanning agent in a wet white process. The fi nal product showed enhanced tensile strength, tear load and break resistance. Leather water vapour permeability decreased, thus confi rming that alginate irreversibly occupied the collagen interfi brillar spaces. These results represent a fi rst step in the development of a safe and biodegradable re-tanning product for high- performance wet-white leather easy to be scaled up for commercial production without changing the current technologies, methods, and processes.