Abstract
The aim of this work is to develop hydrophobic coatings on leather materials by plasma polymerisation with a low-pressure plasma system using an organosilicon compound, such as hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), as chemical precursor. The hydrophobic coatings obtained by this plasma process were evaluated with different experimental techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and standardised tests including colour measurements of the samples, surface coating thickness and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. The results obtained indicated that the monomer had polymerised correctly and completely on the leather surface creating an ultra-thin layer based on polysiloxane. The surface modification produced a water repellent effect on the leather that does not alter the visual appearance and haptic properties. Therefore, the application of the plasma deposition process showed promising results that makes it a more sustainable alternative to conventional functional coatings, thus helping to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in the finishing process of footwear manufacturing.
Highlights
IntroductionDepending on the type of footwear and its intended use, a different type of leather with specific features is required
Leather is a natural material commonly used to produce a wide range of footwear.Depending on the type of footwear and its intended use, a different type of leather with specific features is required
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) Analysis FTIR was performed to further analyse the surface modifications of the plasma-coated leather samples with the non-polar 100% HMDSO, as well as to identify which functional groups contribute to the hydrophobic layer deposited
Summary
Depending on the type of footwear and its intended use, a different type of leather with specific features is required. For such purpose during post-tanning operations, numerous finishing additives and treatments are used to improve certain leather properties, such as water resistance, oleophobicity, perspirability, flame retardancy, antimicrobial properties and abrasion resistance or antistatic properties [1]. Leather is a hydrophilic material due to the polar groups of the collagen fibers’ amino acid residues that promote their interaction with water molecules. This property is not desirable in certain applications where water-resistant leather is required. This repellence can be achieved by a combination of the material’s structure and finish with specific chemicals such as fluorocarbons, wax emulsions, metallic soaps and surface-active agents [2,3,4]
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