A novel engineering bridging complexation strategy based on biomass-derived oligosaccharides hydrotalcite silicon aluminum composites for high-quality green leather manufacturing

With much pressure on the treatments of chromium in tanned leather and the linked hazardous wastes, the desire for an alternative and sustainable chrome-free tanning system was intense. In this paper, a cleaner silicon tanning system was established with the masking effect of oxidized starch based hydrotalcite and aluminum salts. Various crosslinking networks were built between oxidized starch based hydrotalcite silicon aluminum composites(OSH-Si/Al) and collagen fibers. Herein, an outstanding shrinkage temperature value of 83.7 °C was achieved by OSH-Si/Al tanned leather and compared with leather tanned by commercial chrome-free tanning agents TWLZ or F-90, leather tanned by OSH-Si/Al exhibited superior fiber dispersion (porosity: 78.4%), physical properties (tensile strength: 18.5 N/mm2), and dyeing absorption (84.3%). As a result, OSH-Si/Al is considered a potential chrome-free tanning agent for developing a green and sustainable leather industry.