Oral
Abstract
Research summary supplied by the authors
The leather industry is facing increasing demands for sustainable, high-performance materials that enhance comfort while minimising environmental impact. Traditional leather coatings often compromise breathability and thermal regulation, affecting wearer comfort, while the use of synthetic polymers raises ecological concerns. This study investigates a novel approach by incorporating graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) into polyurethane (PU) coatings for leather finishing, aiming to improve thermal management, durability, and sustainability. Two GNP variants with different aspect ratios (low and high) were dispersed in a PU matrix at various concentrations to evaluate their impact on coating performance. Thermal diffusivity was measured using an IR camera with a 1W LED heat source, while mechanical properties were tested through tensile analysis. Results showed that low-aspect-ratio GNPs, when used above the percolation threshold, significantly enhanced heat dissipation without compromising flexibility. This formulation also showed better dispersion and interfacial adhesion than high-aspect-ratio GNPs, which tended to aggregate at higher concentrations. The optimized GNP-PU coating improves thermal comfort—critical for automotive and apparel applications—while reducing the need for excessive synthetic additives by achieving performance gains at lower filler loadings. These findings demonstrate the potential of nanomaterial-enhanced coatings to address both functional and environmental challenges, offering a more sustainable path for leather product development. Further research should assess the long-term durability and broader application potential of these nanocomposite coatings.