Abstract

A vinyl polymer/montmorillonite nanocomposite tannage was reacted with gelatin, and the changes of the molecular structure of gelatin before and after reaction were studied by UV and FT-IR spectra. The nanocomposite tannage was also reacted with hide powder and modified hide powder, the changes of shrinkage temperature, cooperating units and thermodynamic parameters of various hide powders were studied by DSC. The results of the study show that the amino group of collagen is the main group which combines with the nanocomposite tannage and that the function of the carboxyl group of collagen is lower. The amino group in collagen is crosslinked with the carboxyl group of nanocomposite tannage by an amido bond. The complex of montmorillonite and vinyl polymer has certain cooperative effects.