Ecofriendly and sustainable metal-free leather tanning using novel poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) technology

Abstract Despite its potential as a metal-free tanning agent capable of eliminating Cr pollution in the leather industry, the conventional preparation of poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) faces challenges, such as the extensive use of low-boiling organic solvents and low blocking ratios of –NCO groups. Here...

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Main Authors: Pengfei Qiao, Jie Liu, Liqiang Jin, Feifei Zhang, Zhonghe Feng, Yulu Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-04-01
Series:Collagen and Leather
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42825-025-00190-0
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author Pengfei Qiao
Jie Liu
Liqiang Jin
Feifei Zhang
Zhonghe Feng
Yulu Wang
author_facet Pengfei Qiao
Jie Liu
Liqiang Jin
Feifei Zhang
Zhonghe Feng
Yulu Wang
author_sort Pengfei Qiao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Despite its potential as a metal-free tanning agent capable of eliminating Cr pollution in the leather industry, the conventional preparation of poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) faces challenges, such as the extensive use of low-boiling organic solvents and low blocking ratios of –NCO groups. Herein, a liquid sulfonate chain extender, 2,3-dihydroxypropanesulfonic acid triethylamine salt (DHPSTEA), was initially synthesized. A series of poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) tanning agents (CTAS) were then synthesized using DHPSTEA and various diisocyanates as reaction monomers, with sodium bisulfite serving as the blocking agent and without utilizing organic solvents. CTAS demonstrated a blocking ratio of > 99% and satisfactory stability under acidic conditions at room temperature. Application experiments revealed that CTAS exhibited excellent tanning performance, with the parent diisocyanate monomer markedly influencing their tanning properties. CTAS synthesized with dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate resulted in optimal product performance, yielding a shrinkage temperature of 83.2 °C at a 6% dosage. CTAS-tanned leather displayed excellent collagen fiber dispersion, yellowing resistance and mechanical properties. Additionally, CTAS is easy to biodegrade (BOD5/COD > 0.45). Thus, this novel metal-free tanning agent holds a great potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional chrome tanning agent. Graphical Abstract
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series Collagen and Leather
spelling doaj-art-edbaca4bbd9e435e86ea3012a1134e072025-08-20T02:25:41ZengSpringerOpenCollagen and Leather2097-14192731-69982025-04-017111510.1186/s42825-025-00190-0Ecofriendly and sustainable metal-free leather tanning using novel poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) technologyPengfei Qiao0Jie Liu1Liqiang Jin2Feifei Zhang3Zhonghe Feng4Yulu Wang5Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Dezhou Xinglong Leather Products Co., Ltd.Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Abstract Despite its potential as a metal-free tanning agent capable of eliminating Cr pollution in the leather industry, the conventional preparation of poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) faces challenges, such as the extensive use of low-boiling organic solvents and low blocking ratios of –NCO groups. Herein, a liquid sulfonate chain extender, 2,3-dihydroxypropanesulfonic acid triethylamine salt (DHPSTEA), was initially synthesized. A series of poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) tanning agents (CTAS) were then synthesized using DHPSTEA and various diisocyanates as reaction monomers, with sodium bisulfite serving as the blocking agent and without utilizing organic solvents. CTAS demonstrated a blocking ratio of > 99% and satisfactory stability under acidic conditions at room temperature. Application experiments revealed that CTAS exhibited excellent tanning performance, with the parent diisocyanate monomer markedly influencing their tanning properties. CTAS synthesized with dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate resulted in optimal product performance, yielding a shrinkage temperature of 83.2 °C at a 6% dosage. CTAS-tanned leather displayed excellent collagen fiber dispersion, yellowing resistance and mechanical properties. Additionally, CTAS is easy to biodegrade (BOD5/COD > 0.45). Thus, this novel metal-free tanning agent holds a great potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional chrome tanning agent. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s42825-025-00190-0Metal-free tanning agentPoly(carbamoyl sulfonate)Sulfonate chain extenderSustainable developmentLeather tanning process
spellingShingle Pengfei Qiao
Jie Liu
Liqiang Jin
Feifei Zhang
Zhonghe Feng
Yulu Wang
Ecofriendly and sustainable metal-free leather tanning using novel poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) technology
Collagen and Leather
Metal-free tanning agent
Poly(carbamoyl sulfonate)
Sulfonate chain extender
Sustainable development
Leather tanning process
title Ecofriendly and sustainable metal-free leather tanning using novel poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) technology
title_full Ecofriendly and sustainable metal-free leather tanning using novel poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) technology
title_fullStr Ecofriendly and sustainable metal-free leather tanning using novel poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) technology
title_full_unstemmed Ecofriendly and sustainable metal-free leather tanning using novel poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) technology
title_short Ecofriendly and sustainable metal-free leather tanning using novel poly(carbamoyl sulfonate) technology
title_sort ecofriendly and sustainable metal free leather tanning using novel poly carbamoyl sulfonate technology
topic Metal-free tanning agent
Poly(carbamoyl sulfonate)
Sulfonate chain extender
Sustainable development
Leather tanning process
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42825-025-00190-0
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AT zhonghefeng ecofriendlyandsustainablemetalfreeleathertanningusingnovelpolycarbamoylsulfonatetechnology
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