Preparation and Application of Poly (Methacrylic Acid)/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Abstract

Because the leather tanned by a chrome tanning agent could be endowed with excellent performances, such as high hydrothermal stability, good physical-mechanical properties, and outstanding handle feeling, chromate is used extensively in leather making. But in recent years, the chromate was considered as a poisonous chemical to the environment. Hence, there is no moment to be lost to develop new tanning agents. The research is also enclosing this point to be done. In this article, the poly (methacrylic acid)/montmorillonite (PMAA/MMT) nanocomposite was prepared via monomer in situ polymerization. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (solid-state NMR). Finally, the PMAA/MMT nanocomposite was applied to the leather tanning process. The results of XRD, FT-IR, and solid-state 13C-NMR show that methacrylic acid (MAA) has been polymerized in montmorillonite (MMT) interlamellar, and the PMAA/MMT nanocomposite formed belongs to intercalated-exfoliated nanocomposite. The application results show the hydrothermal stability and physical-mechanical properties of the leather tanned with nanocomposite are superior to those of the leather tanned with PMAA.