A “three-in-one” strategy based on an on-demand multifunctional fluorescent amphoteric polymer for ecological leather manufacturing: a disruptive wet-finishing technique

Abstract

Integrated with the Allegro promotion of chrome-free organic tanning systems, multifunctional amphoteric wet-finishing materials show great promise for settling current issues such as low chemical absorption rates and cumbersome processes. Herein, we developed a disruptive “three-in-one” strategy based on an on-demand multifunctional fluorescent amphoteric polymer (referred to as pADD-DMENA). As expected, pADD-DMENA exhibited satisfactorily integrated “three-in-one” origins including retanning, fatliquoring and dyeing properties. Compared to conventional anionic dyed leather, pADD-DMENA dyed leather had a uniformly bright yellow color surface and superior lightfastness, durability, and washability. Furthermore, its fluorescence ontology enabled the visual tracking of pADD-DMENA in crust leather and sewage, allowing for real-time monitoring of pADD-DMENA's precise distribution. To summarize, the development of pADD-DMENA allows the traditional wet finishing process to be completed in one step, effectively saving the process time, reducing the additives of various chemicals by 11.2%, and demonstrating better degradability of wastewater (0.35 of BOD₅/COD). This novel strategy broadens the route to ecological leather manufacturing in a green direction with low energy consumption and less pollution.