Preparation of antibacterial fatliquoring agents containing zinc oxide nanoparticles for leather industry

In this study, zinc oxide nano-particles known to have antibacterial properties were emulsified with different chain length paraffins to be used as fatliquoring agents. The research was carried out on chrome tanned upholstery leathers. Different proportions of nano zinc oxide were studied in the paraffin emulsions. The prepared emulsions were investigated underneath a Keyence VHX-1000 digital microscope. The average particle size of the emulsions was measured. After the emulsification process, the leathers were finished in accordance with the industrial upholstery recipe. The emulsions were applied to leather in the fatliquoring process. Antibacterial activities of the finished leather were evaluated according to ASTM Standard F. 2149- 01, and the results showed significant bacterial reduction on the treated leathers. The impacts of the fatliquoring agents utilized in the research on light fastness were also inspected by using an ATLAS- XENOTEST ALPHA+ test instrument. Light fastness values of treated leathers indicated that nano zinc oxide particles provided the U V absorbing property on the collagen fibers.