Photocatalytic and Other Similar Green Technologies for Reducing Environmental Impacts of Leather Industries

Abstract

This chapter reviews recent advancements in the photocatalytic process, along with other similar green technologies such as nanotechnology, nonthermal plasma treatment, ozone-based technologies, etc., with specific emphasis on reducing the environmental impacts of leather production and processing. Leather industries are among the most polluting industries worldwide, and to address the challenges leather industries are facing with respect to environmental pollution much scientific work has been carried out. Photocatalytical processes have been explored for treatment of wastewater from tanneries and leather dyeing and finishing. Green photocatalytic processes exhibit great potential for chromium removal from tanneries’ wastewater, and degradation of dyes and other hazardous chemical compounds usually found in wastewater from leather industries. Nanomaterials and nanomaterial-based photocatalytic processes also provide leather and leather products with diverse types of surface functionalization and antimicrobial finish which is environmentally affable compared to conventional technology. Other similar technologies are nonthermal plasma and ozone technology which is principally based on nonthermal plasma. Nonthermal plasmas-ionized gases at low temperature have a potential for surface modification of leather which can render applications such as sterilization, improved uptake of dyes, chemicals, and natural products, varieties of finish including antimicrobial finish, etc. Being a dry technology the nonthermal plasma processing can significantly reduce environmental impacts compared to wet chemical processing. The ozone-based technologies are also similar in modes of action with that of the photocatalytic process. The ozone-based technologies are explored by contemporary researchers and are reported to have potential applications such as cleaner dehairing, cleaner preservation, treatment of tanneries’ wastewater, hazardous chemicals used in leather manufacturing, dye degradation, etc. The holistic overview provided in this chapter would be certainly useful to researchers working in these areas.