Preparation of Acrylic Resin/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite for Leather Tanning Agent

摘要

An acrylic resin/montmorillonite (AR/MMT) nanocomposite was prepared using Na~+-montmorillonite (Na~+-MMT) via in-situ polymerization of hydrophilic monomer in aqueous medium. The synthesis conditions, such as the contents of MMT and ammonium persulfate (APS), the molar ratio of different monomers and the dosage of sodium bisulfite on the application properties of nanocomposite were investigated in detail. The thickness increment ratio, the wet-heat resistance and the tensile, slit and burst strengths of leather tanned by AR/MMT were improved and elongations at break and given load were slightly reduced, in contrast to AR treatment; the wet-heat resistance and the physical mechanical properties of leather tanned by 6% AR/MMT associated with 2% chromate were lower than 8% chromate tanned. Also, AR/ MMT facilitates the absorption of chromate. Compared with conventional chrome tanning, the dosage of chromate is reduced 75%. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) pictures of leather samples indicated that the collagen fibers of leather samples tanned by AR/MMT are well dispersed when compared to AR and pure chromate treatment. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) confirmed AR/MMT is an exfoliated nanocomposite.