Abstract

2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) has been graft copolymerized onto chrome-tanned leather using benzoyl peroxide in methanol as the initiator. The influence of synthesis variables, including monomer concentration, initiator selection and temperature, have been investigated. As the graft polymerization of HEMA onto chrometanned leather was increased, water absorption was reduced and tensile strength and elongation at break improved. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis of ungrafted and grafted leather showed a band at 1735 cm-1 corresponding to the carbonyl of the ester of acrylate (HEMA), while subsequent SEM analysis revealed a decrease in the porosity of the leather surface as a result of the graft polymerization.