Abstract

This study employed vanillin-modified gelatin to develop a vanillin/gelatin-based leather finishing agent with effective antibacterial properties (GGV). The film structure was systematically characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), while the antibacterial efficacy and key application performance of the coated leather were comprehensively evaluated. FTIR and XRD results confirmed the successful formation of crosslinks between vanillin and gelatin, indicating effective chemical interaction. Experimental data demonstrated that leather samples coated with the GGV solution (test diameter: 3mm) produced an inhibition zone of approximately 8mm, reflecting strong antimicrobial activity. Moreover, the incorporation of GGV not only increased the tensile strength from 623N/mm to 687N/mm but also improved the leather’s softness, resistance to yellowing, and abrasion resistance, thereby enhancing its overall performance.