NanoCleanLeather
Development of natural leather with improved cleansing properties
The project NANOCLEANLEATHER aims to develop natural leather with improved cleaning properties – anti-soiling or self-cleaning – designed for automotive interiors, using nanostructured additives.
In addition, it is intended that the improvements in terms of cleaning properties allow to explore the pioneering use of nubuck and suede – traditional products of the tanning industry – in the transport industry.
Main goals
1. Synthesis of nanostructured additives for anti-soiling properties in natural leather, namely fluorinated silica nanoparticles, ensuring both high roughness and low surface energy;
2. Synthesis of nanostructured additives for self-cleaning properties of natural leather, namely nanocomposites of silica and titanium dioxide, ensuring the degradation of surface contaminants [microorganisms included] by photocatalytic action;
3. Development of processes for incorporating nanostructured additives in natural leather, in particular finishing processes, to achieve anti-soiling or self-cleaning properties, promoting high performance [and a satisfactory fastness] of the functionalities, as well as the maintenance of the natural appearance of leather.
Project duration: September 2016 to August 2019
Total eligible cost: 459 422.32 €
Financial support EU: ERDF – 307 167.79 €
Project type: I&DT Empresarial – Copromoção
Intervention region: Centre and North of Portugal
Results
- Synthesis of fluorinated silica nanoparticles with hidro and oleophobic properties;
- Incorporation of fluorinated silica nanoparticles in leather to attain anti-soiling properties;
- Leather with hidro and oleophobic properties.
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