Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Mineral tanning mechanisms: a fundamental study

Lampard, G. S. (2000) Mineral tanning mechanisms: a fundamental study. Doctoral thesis. University of Leicester.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Abstract: A review across the periodic table of tanning effects of simple inorganic compounds reveals that many elements are capable of being used to make leather. But, if the practical criteria of effectiveness, availability, toxicity and cost are applied, the useflul options reduce to chromium ([III) the benchmark orto titanium (IV) zucomum ([V) iron (II/III) and aluminium ([II) For mainly environmental reasons, alternative tanning agents to chromium are needed, However. none so far investigated match the all round properties achieved with chromium (III) salts. In tanning terms, the chemistry of titanium (IV) is dominated by the titanyl ion, TiO2, limiting its reactivity with collagen. An alternative approach to titanium tanning, using metastable titanium (III) salts as possible tanning agents, was investigated in this study. A method to determine the titanium content in leathers was developed. Complexes of Ti (III) were investigated using various spectroscopic techniques, including uv/vis spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, electron nuclear double resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion spectroscopies. The complexes used in subsequent tanning studies were based on titanium (III) citrate, gluconate and tartrate. However, in comparative trials with chromium (III) salts, the study highlighted that titanium (III) salts were not suitable for tanning collagen. Titanium (III) saks were found to be useflul in the production of semi- metal tamlages. The research was extended to investigate the hydrothermal shrinking of tanned collagen. Techniques such as extended x-ray absorption — fine structure and x-ray absorption near structure were used to investigate the interaction of chromium (III) tanning salts and titanium (III) complexes with collagen. The research demonstrated that the shrinking reaction is independent of the tannage. It involves instead the breaking of hydrogen bonds, rather than the breakdown of the tannin-collagen molecule. From this work, and a reappraisal of older work on the shrinking reaction, a new theory of tanning has been formulated based on co-operating units and the role of crystallinity in stabilising the collagen structure. The influence of the solvent is also discussed
Additional Information: This University of Northampton thesis was validated by the University of Leicester
Subjects: T Technology > TS Manufactures > TS967 Chemistry and science of leather
T Technology > TS Manufactures > TS965 Leather technology > TS965.5 Tanning
Creators: Lampard, Graham S
Department: School of Applied Sciences (to 2009) > Leather Technology (to 2009)
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Theses (Arts, Science & Technology)
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Applied Sciences (to 2009) > Theses (to 2009)
Date: 2000
Date Type: Completion
Number of Pages: 206
Language: English
Status: Unpublished
Institution: University of Leicester
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/2676

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