Modified layered double hydroxide/zanthoxylum bungeanum seed oil composites to improve the flame retardant of leather

•The dispersibility of layered double hydroxide(LDH) was improved by a simple aqueous miscible organic solvent treatment(AMOST) method.•MZBMSO/O-LDH composites significantly improved the thermal stability of leather.•The combustible gas product released during thermal decomposition of leather was significantly reduced.•The leather with excellent flame retardant was prepared and the safety of leather products was improved. High flammability has always been a limiting factor for leather products. Herein, a new strategy that chose zanthoxylum bungeanum seed oil(ZBMSO) and aqueous miscible organic solvent treatment(AMOST) modified layered double hydroxide(O-LDH) were used to prepare flame retardant leather in this work. Firstly, O-LDH was prepared through acetone organic modified layered double hydroxide led to a better dispersion, then the modified zanthoxylum bungeanum seed oil(MZBMSO)/O-LDH composites was obtained by used O-LDH and MZBMSO through in-situ method. Finally, MZBMSO/O-LDH composites were applied to the leather fatliquoring processing, and tested the flame retardant of leather. The thermal stability of leather was effectively improved with composites, and the combustible gas released during thermal decomposition of leather decreases obviously. Limit oxygen index (LOI) value of leather reached 28.3%, the smoke density value dropped 68% to 9.28%/min. The dispersion of LDH was improved by a simple aqueous miscible organic solvent treatment method and prepared the leather with excellent flame retardant, it reduced the release of toxic gases and improved the safety of leather products. [Display omitted]