Effect of Linear-Hyperbranched Amphiphilic Phosphate Esters on Collagen Fibers.

The surfactants of the linear-hyperbranched phosphate esters (PAMAMGn-3-Ps) have been constructed through random multibranching esterification of lauroyl chloride and phosphate ester as a branching agent. Subsequently, a series of surfactant products were obtained. Benefiting from the amphiphilic structure with the hydrophilic core and many hydrophobic tails, PAMAMGn-3-Ps were able to self-assemble into nanomicelles in aqueous media. Importantly, the polymers show low critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) and small particle sizes. Here, PAMAMG1-3-P was applied in the collagen fibers of leather to improve the fibers' distance and mechanical property of collagen fibers. Additionally, the polymers display significant flexibility, which could replace ordinary fatliquor in the future. The result provides a new application of using linear-hyperbranched amphiphilic phosphate esters into traditional leather materials to enhance the performance of collagen fibers.