Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a new dialdehyde cellulose tanning agent and discuss its tanning performance. Firstly, cellulose was dissolved with sodium hydroxide and urea. Secondly, dialdehyde cellulose was prepared by an electrochemical oxidation system. The obtained dialdehyde cellulose contained 68.48% aldehyde groups. The reaction between dialdehyde cellulose and gelatin has been verified by the determination by Fourier transformed infrared testing.

When pickled goatskin was tanned with dialdehyde cellulose, the optimal conditions were, dosage of dialdehyde cellulose 25%, initial pH4.5, tanning temperature 35°C. The tanned goat garment crust leather had a shrinkage temperature 82.2°C, tensile strength 28.23MPa, elongation at break 48.35%, all of which meet the standard for goat garment leather. After ageing for 20 days, all characteristics remained stable indicating that dialdehyde cellulose is a feasible and eco-friendly tanning agent.