The Conductometric, Viscometric, Tensiometric, Particle Size Measurement, and Microscopic Studies of Some Commercial Fatliquors

摘要

Fatliquoring is a post-tanning operation which is carried out on tanned leather using oils, fats, or greases in emulsion form to make soft leathers, and improve the physical characteristics of the finished products. In this investigation we have selected three commercial fatiliquors (chemicals used in the fatliquoring operation and make the leather softer by adding an oil layer to the fibrils) with different chemical compositions/structures (or ratios). For making better leather and eco-friendly new fatliquors, it is very important to know the physico-chemical properties of the fatliquor. To the best of our knowledge, in most of the cases, the physicochemical properties of the commercial fatliquors are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the physicochemical properties of these commercial (different categories) fatliquors. Herein, we have studied the surface properties and physicochemical properties of three different commercial fatiliquors by conductometric, viscometric, tensiometric, particle size measurement, and microscopic studies. The CAC (critical aggregation concentration) and Π_(CAC) (= γ_(solvent) - γ_(cac)- where γ_(solvent) and γ_(cac) are the surface tension of solvent and surface tension at CAC, respectively) of the fatiliquors were measured by surface tension measurement. The CAC of these fatliquors were also measured by conductivity measurement and the values found close to each other. Particle size (mean/average) and the zeta potential of these fatiliquors were also measured. The emulsion nature of fatliquors was studied by optical microscope.