Abstract

r-Methacryloxy propyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) was used as a coupling agent to introduce vinyl groups onto the surface of nano SiO2. A nanocomposite of MPNS/SMA was prepared by the polymerization of methacryloxypropyl nano SiO2 (MPNS), styrene (ST) and maleic anhydride (MA) with benzoyl peroxide (BPO)as initiator in toluene. The structure of the MPNS/SMA nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope). A series of tanning experiments have been carried out to compare the tanning and retanning properties of MPNS/SMA and styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA). The results show that MPNS/SMA has good tanning capability, and that leather treated with the MPNS/SMA nanocomposite is of good quality.