Micro/nano microfiber synthetic leather base with different nanofiber diameters

Abstract

The microfiber synthetic leather base (MSLB) was prepared by mixing hollow segmented pie microfibers and polyacrylonitrile electrospun nanofibers. Micro/nano hybrid leather base was prepared to simulate the three-dimensional (3D) structure of natural leather. The diameter of the polyacrylonitrile nanofibers was 950 nm, 450 nm and 200 nm, respectively. The effects of nanofibers of different diameters on the performances of MSLB were investigated. The results indicated that polyacrylonitrile nanofibers were randomly dispersed in MSLB. Differential scanning calorimetry further demonstrated the presence of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers in MSLB, and thermogravimetric analysis showed that the addition of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers had a little influence on the thermal stability of MSLB. There was no significant change in the water contact angle of the MSLB surface before and after the addition of nanofibers. As the diameter of the nanofibers decreased from 950 nm to 200 nm, the static water vapor transmission rate was increased by 28.2%, the softness was increased by 39.74%, and air permeability was decreased by 17.16%. When the nanofiber diameter is 950 nm, the moisture absorption performance of MSLB was better, which was 768.99%. Moreover, the tear strength was also significantly enhanced by 105.76%.

Modifications of microfiber synthetic leather base (MSLB) to enhance the sanitary performances: a review

“…Besides, collagen fibers contain several fibrils and have a diameter of 2-8mm, while fibrils have a diameter of 100-150nm. 1 Many customers prefer natural leather products due to their excellent properties, like wearing comfort, good water vapor permeability, and superior hygroscopicity. 2,3 However, there is a great challenge faced by the current genuine leather industry relating to pressure from several sources, including insufficient raw hides, environmental pollution, and the developing ethical concern over animal rights.…”

“…18 On contrary, natural leather portrays excellent hygienic performance due to its fiber composition and structure. 1 The significant performance indexes of microfiber synthetic leather are hygienic performance or sanitary properties, mainly including air permeability, moisture absorption, and water vapor permeability (WVT). 1,14 This results from performance of the base in eliminating the wearer"s sweat vapor and make them feel comfortable.…”

“…1 The significant performance indexes of microfiber synthetic leather are hygienic performance or sanitary properties, mainly including air permeability, moisture absorption, and water vapor permeability (WVT). 1,14 This results from performance of the base in eliminating the wearer"s sweat vapor and make them feel comfortable. 18 Water vapor permeability describes the ability to allow water vapor to penetrate a large humidity air to that of the smaller one.…”

“…18 Generally, the water contact angle characterizes the hydrophilicity of materials. 1,14,18 Water penetration time describes the time taken by a needle drop of water from the start to completion of penetration when dropped on the base. 17 Moreover, the liquid wicking rate refers to the measurement of the materials" capillary effect.…”

“…7 Air permeability is also a valuable hygienic property of MSLB and relates to porosity, fiber bundle dispersion, and fiber morphology. 1 The softness is another key concern in its application. 14 The difference in the hygienic properties of the natural leather and microfiber synthetic leather comes about due to the existence of more hydrophilic groups in the collagen fibers of natural leather than the ones in microfiber synthetic leather.…”