Content area

Abstract

In order to solve the pollution of Cr3+ and toxic dyes cause by traditional tanning technology, this study developed chromium-free tanning agents (COS-Dyes-Al) that incorporate high-performance dyeing functions by using oligo-chitosan (COS) as a matrix and chemically modifying it with three types of dyes, reactive Blue R19, tartrazine, and eosin B, and then coordination with Al (III). COS-Dyes-Al exhibit excellent tanning properties, raising the shrinkage temperature of leather to 98.6 °C, with tensile and tear strengths reaching 17.4 MPa and 70.1 N/mm, respectively, along with superior durability against rubbing and washing. Moreover, COS-Dyes-Al reduced the environmental burden by effectively integrate tanning and regulable color dyeing functionality into the leather. The COS-Dyes-Al tanning system can save 60–80% of water, 30% of electric energy, and 50–70% of thermal energy. Therefore, the tanning system helps to reduce the carbon footprint in leather production.

Details

Title
Chitosan based chromium free tanning system for reducing the carbon footprint to leather production process
Author
Liang, Shuang 1 ; Wang, Xuechuan 1 ; Wei, Chao 2 ; Xie, Long 2 ; Dang, Xugang 3 

 Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Institute of Biomass and Function Materials & National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education, College of Bioresources Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Xi’an, PR China (GRID:grid.454711.2) (ISNI:0000 0001 1942 5509) 
 Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi’an, PR China (GRID:grid.454711.2) (ISNI:0000 0001 1942 5509) 
 Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Institute of Biomass and Function Materials & National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education, College of Bioresources Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Xi’an, PR China (GRID:grid.454711.2) (ISNI:0000 0001 1942 5509); State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan, PR China (GRID:grid.454711.2) 
Pages
19
Publication year
2025
Publication date
Dec 2025
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
29481775
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3225866214
Copyright
Copyright Nature Publishing Group Dec 2025