Synthesis and study of MPNS/SMA nano-composite tanning agent

The radical polymerization of maleic anhydride (MA),styrene (ST) with the vinyl groups introduced onto the surface of the nano-sized silica via solution polymerization method was developed.The methacryloxypropyl nano-sized silica (MPNS) was used as macromonomer and polymerized with maleic anhydride and styrene by initiating with BPO in toluene.The structure and properties of MPNS/SMA nano-composite were characterized by FT-IR spectra and TEM.Meanwhile,it was applied as tanning agent compared with the traditional styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer in leather.It was found that the applied leather had better quality characteristics with the addition of the nano-sized silica.