Thermal Sensitive Agents for Making Stimuli Responsive Leathers

Abstract

Herein, we report the synthesis and application of a smart polymeric acrylic syntan (synthetic tanning material), which can respond to temperature and pH. Behavior of polymer at different pH (1-10) at room temperature (28°C) was studied. Also interactions with collagen were ascertained in order to understand the polymers’ response towards secondary structures of collagen. Leather made using the experimental syntan demonstrated higher temperature resistance of 3±0.5°C compared to control syntan treated leathers (1±0.5°C) when exposed to heat under artificial simulation. Experimental leathers exhibited better strength and organoleptic properties. These smart leathers find its application in extreme climatic conditions of heat or cold.

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“…The traction of Nile tilapia leather regions did not influence the strength (Table 1), while for tearing, tail region showed lower strength 49.65 N mm -1 and head and central regions did not show a significant difference between them, whose average was 61.49 N mm -1 (p <0.05). These results corroborate Alla et al 14 who evaluated Nile tilapia leathers in relation to two regions (head and hindquarters) and three leather directions (longitudinal, transverse and diagonal). The author also reported that the analyzed region did not influence the tensile strength of the leather, whose average value was 12 N mm -2 , lower than that of this test 13.46 N mm -2 (p <0.05).…”

“…The author also reported that the analyzed region did not influence the tensile strength of the leather, whose average value was 12 N mm -2 , lower than that of this test 13.46 N mm -2 (p <0.05). For direction of removal of the specimens, the results were similar to those of this test as well, due to diagonal direction, according to Alla et al 14 have shown lower strength 6.80 N mm -2 and longitudinal and transversal higher strength values, although shown no difference between them, whose average value was 15.20 N mm -2 , being higher than that of this test 14.49 N mm -2 This seems to be related to distribution of collagen fibers in the leather. Everything indicates that in the longitudinal direction it has a smaller number of fine fibers (reticulin), and these are intended to assist in tying collagen fibers and providing resistance in progressive tearing.…”

“…In contrast, Alla et al 14 evaluated the regions and directions of Nile tilapia leathers tanned with chromium salts, observed that the deformation and elasticity of the leather was greater in the head region 52.60 mm and 87.70%, and considering leather directions the higher results for elasticity 104.60% and deformation 63mm were for longitudinal direction compared to other directions (transverse = 61.00%, 36.60 mm and diagonal 67.40%, 38.80 mm). Thus, it can infer that Nile tilapia leather, when evaluated in the region and direction of removal of the specimens, in the head region and longitudinal direction demonstrated greater elasticity, regardless of the tanning and retanning technique used in the process.…”

“…According to Vieira et al, 15 it is also correct to take into account that for smaller fish, their leathers must show a more homogeneous thickness than the leathers of larger fish, since throughout their growth, there is a superposition of collagen fibers layers, which may uneven in different leather regions. According to Alla et al, 14 the dermis thicknesses the is mainly determined by proportion of collagen fibers. Thus, it would an explanation for fact that the thickness is variable, in the different cutting leather directions.…”

“…12 The skins of fish differ from each other, where each species of fish can be showed its peculiarities, especially if comparing the skins of marine and freshwater fish, 13 regarding chemical composition that depending on amount present in the leathers, it is necessary to adapt the tanning techniques, whether in terms of process time, quantity of products or repetition of steps, change of one or another chemical product. 14 Vieira et al 15 proved that fish leather has the same strength showed by bovine leathers, if compared to thickness.…”