Synthesis and characterization of nano-cellulose from Slender amaranth and its application as an eco-friendly reinforcement material in synthetic leather preparation from leather scraps wastes.

Releasing of large volumes of leather scraps wastes from different leather, footwear, and leather goods industries has become a major environmental pollution concern now a days in developing countries. Natural nanofibers are widely used as prospective reinforcement materials in formulation of different biocomposites materials. Herein, a new nanocomposite material has been synthesized and characterized using leather scraps wastes and Slender amaranth based nano-cellulose with latex in a clean environment perspective. Nano-cellulose was extracted from Slender amaranth vegetable wastes as natural fiber for green composites preparation. The extracted nanofibers, leather waste composite, and the resulting nanocomposite material have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Different physio-mechanical characteristics of nanocomposite were evaluated which showed its potential applications as shoe upper components. The results revealed that addition of nano-cellulose significantly improved the physical properties of new composite sheet. SEM images revealed the surface morphology of nanocomposite which was observed to be predominantly homogenous with uniform distribution of particles. This novel nanocomposite exhibits different potential properties and TGA data showed higher thermal stability of this material in comparison to those obtained with control method. It can find application as a green reinforcement material in the preparation of different leather goods with improved mechanical properties and thermal stability. These significant findings highlight the preparation of a valuable biocomposite material from leather solid wastes which is cost effective and sustainable for leather industries as well as it emphasizes an effective approach to reduce environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]