The Effect of TiO2-SiO2 Nanocomposite on the Performance Characteristics of Leather

In this study the effect of TiO2-SiO2 nanocomposite on various performance characteristics of finished leather was investigated. For this purpose, TiO2-SiO2 nanocomposite was prepared via the sol-gel method from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and titanium n-butoxide (TBO) catalyzed with acid at ambient temperature. The prepared composite was applied by spraying on to the top coat of finished leathers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were employed to characterize the surface properties and the chemical structure of the nanocomposite films. Inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to evaluate elemental analysis of the nanocomposite on leather. The physical-mechanical and fastness properties of leathers treated with the nanocomposite were evaluated according to appropriate standards. The results indicated that the use of TiO2-SiO2 nanocomposite improved certain performance characteristics of leather such as dry and wet rubbing fastness, color fastness to UV light and finish adhesion.