Abstract

In this paper, montmorillonite (MMT) was first modified with dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride (referred to as DMDAAC) and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) through a cation exchanging reaction. The modified MMT and the vinyl polymer were then used to prepare composites which were then characterized by XRD. Finally, the vinyl polymer/CTAB modified MMT (abbreviated to VP/C-MMT) was applied in the leather making process to examine its tanning properties. The results of XRD show that the interlayer spacing of the modified MMT is received are 1.40nm and 1.99nm for DMDAAC-MMT and CTAB-MMT respectively, while the d-spacing distance of pristine MMT is only 1.23nm. The composites of DMDAAC modified MMT and VP are phase separated, while CTAB modified MMT formed intercalated nanocomposites with VP. The application results show, that the shrinkage temperature of leather tanned by VP/C-MMT nano-tannage associated with 2% chrome under optimum process conditions can be raised to 90°C, the strength properties and the water permeability of tanned leather are closely similar to those of a 8% chrome tanned leather, meanwhile, the incrassation rates [thickness increment ratios] are far geater than for the 8% chrome tanned leather. We conclude that the nano tannage is an appropriate application in a reduced-chrome tannage.