Modification of Leather Surface with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma and Nanofinishing

In this study, the effect of plasma treatment and nanofinishing on leather properties was investigated. O2 and N2 gases were used for activating the leather surface, and thin layers were deposited by hexamethyldisiloxane and tetraethyloxysilane. Nanofinishing process was performed using TiO2–SiO2 nanocomposite solution. The surface properties of the treated leathers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results showed that the hydrophobicity of leather was clearly improved after plasma end treatment with hexamethyldisiloxane, while treatment with tetraethyloxysilane increased its hydrophilic property. Moreover, the fastness properties and water vapor permeability of leathers were improved.