Reinforcing and protecting leather-based relics using gelatin/tannic acid composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Conservation Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Leather relics degrade due to environmental factors like temperature, humidity, light, and microorganisms.
• This degradation diminishes the historical and cultural value of leather artifacts.
• Existing conservation methods may not offer comprehensive protection against diverse environmental stressors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate gelatin/tannic acid (Gel/TA) composites as a novel protective and reinforcing agent for leather-based relics.
• To investigate the interaction between Gel/TA components and collagen fibers in aged leather.
• To assess the impact of Gel/TA treatment on the physical, chemical, and biological stability of leather artifacts.

Main Methods:

• Preparation and characterization of gelatin/tannic acid (Gel/TA) composites.
• Analysis of hydrogen bond formation between gelatin and tannic acid.
• Assessment of antioxidant capacity enhancement in Gel/TA compared to pure gelatin.
• Application of Gel/TA to aged leather samples for reinforcement.
• Evaluation of mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and oxidation resistance of treated leather.
• Simulated accelerated aging tests to determine long-term stability.

Main Results:

• Gel/TA composites exhibit strong hydrogen bonding between gelatin and tannic acid.
• Antioxidant capacity increased by 82.12% in Gel/TA compared to gelatin alone.
• Reinforced leather showed enhanced cross-linking of collagen fibers, improving mechanical properties and antibacterial activity.
• Oxidation resistance of treated leather improved significantly, from 20.72% to 63.03%.
• Accelerated aging tests showed a 31.6% increase in the time required to reduce mechanical properties by 50% (from 7.6 to 10 days).
• Minimal color change was observed in the treated leather relics.

Conclusions:

• Gel/TA composites offer a promising multifunctional material for the conservation of leather-based relics.
• The treatment effectively reinforces aged leather, enhancing its resistance to mechanical stress, oxidation, and microbial degradation.
• This approach provides a feasible method for producing sustainable materials for the protection of valuable leather artifacts.