Modified rapeseed oil/silane coupling agent-montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared by in-situ method: Synthesis and properties

• Rapeseed oil was used to prepare fatliquoring agent.
• We synthesized a halogen-free flame retardant fatliquoring agent.
• The flame retardancy of leather was improved by montmorillonite.

The environmentally friendly flame retardant fatliquoring agent has aroused the attention of tannery industry. In this study, rapeseed oil and montmorillonite were used to prepare flame retardant fatliquoring agent. Firstly, silane coupling agent modified montmorillonite was prepared from Na-montmorillonite (Na-MMT) and silane coupling agent γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Then the modified rapeseed oil/silane coupling agent modified montmorillonite nanocomposites was obtained by using silane coupling agent modified montmorillonite and rapeseed oil through in-situ method. The as-prepared modified rapeseed oil/silane coupling agent modified montmorillonite was applied in fatliquoring process of goatskin garment leather. Flame retardancy, softness and mechanical properties of the fatliquored leather were tested. Compared with those of the leather fatliquored by modified rapeseed oil (MRO), flame retardancy, softness and tear strength of the leather treated by modified rapeseed oil/silane coupling agent modified montmorillonite were improved. The results of environmental impact assessments indicated that the modified rapeseed oil/silane coupling agent modified montmorillonite nanocomposites did not increase the pollution to the environment.