Silver Nanoparticle-Based Finishing for Leather Antimicrobial and UV Protection

• Published in: Micromachines (Basel) Vol. 16; no. 4; p. 376
• Main Authors: Cirillo, Claudia, Iuliano, Mariagrazia, Fierro, Francesca, Florio, Claudia, Maffei, Gaetano, Loi, Andrea, Batakliev, Todor, Sarno, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 26.03.2025; MDPI
• Subjects: Accelerated aging tests; Aesthetics; Ag-F NPs; Analysis; antimicrobial activity; Antimicrobial agents; Aqueous solutions; Citric acid; Coatings; Coefficient of friction; Ethanol; Finishing; Footwear; Fourier transforms; Leather; Leather & leather products; leather-finishing agents; ligand exchange process; Mechanical properties; Microorganisms; Nanoparticles; Polyurethane resins; Polyurethanes; Scratch resistance; Silver; Spectrum analysis; Thermogravimetric analysis; Ultrasonic imaging; UV protection; United States; Italy; Massachusetts; United States > US; UV protection; Ag-F NPs; antimicrobial activity; leather-finishing agents; ligand exchange process
• ISSN: 2072-666X; 2072-666X
• DOI: 10.3390/mi16040376

This study focuses on preparing and characterizing functionalized silver nanoparticle-based (Ag-F NPs) finishing agents for leather treatment. Ag-F NPs were synthesized and functionalized through a ligand exchange process with citric acid, enhancing their dispersion stability in aqueous media. The nanoparticles were incorporated into polyurethane- and nitroemulsion-based finishing formulations and applied to ovine and bovine leather via a spray coating process. Morphological (SEM, TEM), structural (XRD), thermal (TGA), and spectroscopic (FT-IR) analyses confirmed successful functionalization and uniform dispersion within the finishing layer. Leather samples treated with Ag-F NPs exhibited a significant improvement in antibacterial properties, with microbial growth reduction of up to 90% after 72 h. Additionally, accelerated aging tests demonstrated enhanced UV resistance, with a 30% lower color change (∆E) compared to control samples. The Ag-F NPs-based finishing layers also exhibited superior abrasion and micro-scratch resistance, maintaining a stable coefficient of friction over time. These findings demonstrate the potential of Ag-F NPs as multifunctional leather-finishing agents, making them highly suitable for applications in the automotive, footwear, and leather goods industries.