Abstract

Collagen extracted from leather wastes was used as the main raw material, a modified protein retanning agent was prepared by free radical polymerization reaction with butyl acrylate and styrene. The product was characterized by FT-IR, TEM, particle size analysis and other methods. The retanning properties were studied on goat garment leather. The results showed that grafting took place between collagen and the non-ionic monomers. The grafting rate was about 65%. The latex particles of the modified collagen cross-linking emulsion were spherical and uniform, the average particle size was about 117nm. The resistances of the product to electrolyte, acid and alkali were good. The thickening rate [substance increase] of the leather was about 10% when using the retanning agent. The leather has good resistance to wet and dry rubbing after retanning, the fixing effect was remarkable. The shrinkage temperature was up to 122°C. Compared with similar commercial retanning agents, the tensile strength and tearing strength of leather retanned by the self-prepared retanning agent increased by 28.5% and 37.8%, respectively.