Inspired by “Trojan Horse” Effect to Construct a Novel Chrome‐Free Tanning Agent—Achieving the Integration of Tanning‐Dyeing and Personal Thermal Management

Abstract Among human deaths induced by abnormal weather, ≈95% are caused by low temperatures. Personal thermal management (PTM) is more energy efficient than traditional central heating. Inspired by “Trojan War” and combined with the advantages of natural leather, a novel chrome‐free tanning agent (OMFA) with “Trojan Horse” effect is constructed based on ZrOCl 2 ‐assisted oxidation mineral fulvic acid. It innovatively realizes the “One Stone Three Birds” integrated strategy of tanning, dyeing and PTM leather preparation. OMFA, just like a Trojan horse, brings the Zr 4+ into all hierarchy of leather; as a result, OMFA is firmly fixed in leather collagen fibers by chemical cross‐linking. The shrinking temperature of resultant leather reaches 82.7 °C and the color difference is less than 0.2, showcasing good hydrothermal stability and color fastness. Moreover, the solar absorption rate of OMFA tanned leather reaches 78.3%. In the outdoor test, the surface temperature of the leather is higher 20.9 °C and 3.4 °C than the ambient temperature at noon and evening, respectively. This study is the first time to confer thermal management properties onto leather by means of tanning. This work is expected to replace chrome tanning agent, reduce dye wastewater discharge, and realize clean energy utilization.