Artificial leather and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide artificial leather comprising an artificial biotrophic fibrous layer and a hypha layer. The artificial biomass nutrition fiber layer comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a plurality of holes, wherein the holes extend from the first surface to the second surface. The hypha layer covers the first surface and the second surface of the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer and extends from the first surface to the second surface through the holes. Some embodiments of the invention also provide a manufacturing method of the artificial leather. Artificial leather having better structural strength (e.g., ultimate tensile strength) and softness can be provided by using an artificial biomass nutritional fiber layer comprising a nutritional material as a growth substrate for mycelia.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to artificial leather and a method for making the same. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of living standards, people have higher and higher requirements for leather. Among them, the application of artificial leather has gradually broken through the limitations of genuine leather and is widely used in various industrial fields. In the field of artificial leather, compared with artificial leather made from plants, artificial leather made from mycelium has the advantages of beauty and soft touch, so it is widely popular in the market.

[0003] However, the existing artificial leather manufacturing process using mycelium includes a coating method and a chemical adhesive bonding mycelium and fiber layer, which has the limitations of insufficient structural strength and insufficient softness.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide artificial leather with improved structural strength and softness is a problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides artificial leather and a method for manufacturing artificial leather. By using an artificial bio-based nutrient fiber layer containing nutrient materials as a growth substrate for mycelium, the mycelium is allowed to grow along the artificial bio-based nutrient fiber layer and pass through the holes of the artificial bio-based nutrient fiber layer to cover multiple surfaces, thereby providing artificial leather with better structural strength (such as ultimate tensile strength) and softness.

[0006] Some embodiments of the present invention provide artificial leather, comprising an artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer and a mycelium layer. The artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of holes, wherein the holes extend from the first surface to the second surface. The mycelium layer covers the first surface and the second surface of the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer, and extends from the first surface to the second surface through the holes.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of each hole is between 500 micrometers and 1000 micrometers.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the artificial biomass nutritional fiber layer comprises a skeleton material and a nutritional material. When the total weight percentage of the artificial biomass nutritional fiber layer is 100%, the weight percentage of the skeleton material is 10% to 90%, and the weight percentage of the nutritional material is 10% to 90%.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the framework material comprises alginate.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional material comprises plant-derived protein, carbohydrates, inorganic salts, vitamins or a combination thereof.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plant-derived protein comprises soy protein, pea protein or a combination thereof.

[0012] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method for manufacturing artificial leather, comprising: a mixing step, mixing a skeleton material and a first nutrient material to obtain a spinning solution; a wet spinning step, performing a wet spinning process on the spinning solution to obtain spinning fibers; a papermaking step, performing a papermaking process on the spinning fibers to obtain an artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer; and a mycelium growth step, adding a second nutrient material and a bacterial solution containing mycelium to the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer, so that the mycelium grows on the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer to obtain artificial leather.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the papermaking process includes: cutting the spun fibers into a plurality of short fibers; dispersing the short fibers in an aqueous solution to form a papermaking liquid; and obtaining an artificial bionutrient fiber layer from the papermaking liquid using a filter screen or a papermaking machine.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the artificial bionutrient fiber layer comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of holes extending from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the mycelium completely covers the artificial bionutrient fiber layer and extends from the first surface to the second surface through the holes.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ultimate tensile strength of the artificial leather is 3 MPa to 105 MPa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in accordance with standard practices in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0017] Figure 1 A flow chart showing a method for manufacturing artificial leather is shown.

[0018] Figure 2A The graph shows the comparison of hyphae length of groups N, O, P, and R at different culture days.

[0019] Figure 2B The photographs show the culture medium of groups N, O, P, and R on the 10th day of culture.

[0020] Figure 3A The graph shows a comparison of hyphae lengths of groups A, B, C, D, E, and F at different culture days.

[0021] Figure 3B The photographs show the culture medium of groups A, B, C, D, E, and F on the 10th day of culture.

[0022] Figure 4 The graph shows the comparison of hyphae length of groups F, L, and O at different culture days.

[0023] Figure 5A as well as Figure 5B The pictures show the gauze fibers and the electron microscope images magnified 200 times.

[0024] Figure 5C as well as Figure 5D The figures show a photo of the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer and an electron microscope image magnified 1000 times.

[0025] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C These are electron microscope images of the upper surface, cross section and lower surface of the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer on the 5th day of mycelium culture.

[0026] Wherein, the reference numerals are:

[0027] 100: Manufacturing method

[0028] S110, S120, S130, S140: Steps DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to realize the different features of the mentioned subject matter, the following disclosure provides many different embodiments. Specific examples of components, values, materials, configurations, etc. are described below to simplify the present invention. Of course, these are merely examples and are not restrictive. For example, in the following description, forming a first feature on or above a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are formed in direct contact, and may also include an embodiment in which additional features are formed between the first feature and the second feature so that the first feature and the second feature may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present invention may repeat reference numbers and / or letters in various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not itself represent the relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0030] The present invention provides artificial leather and a method for manufacturing artificial leather. By using a wet spinning step and a papermaking step, an artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer having an appropriate and uniform pore size and containing nutrient materials is prepared, so that mycelium can absorb nutrients from the nutrient materials in the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer, grow along the bio-fibers in the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer, pass through the holes in the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer, and cover the first surface and the second surface, thereby giving the artificial leather better structural strength and softness.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1, a flow chart of a method 100 for manufacturing artificial leather is shown, including steps S110 to S140.

[0032] Step S110 is a mixing step, in which the skeleton material and the first nutrient material are mixed to obtain a spinning solution.

[0033] In some embodiments, the skeleton material comprises alginate (e.g., sodium alginate) to serve as a fiber skeleton of the artificial biomass nutritional fiber layer. In some embodiments, the first nutritional material comprises plant-derived protein (nitrogen source), carbohydrates (carbon source), inorganic salts, vitamins, or a combination thereof, to provide the nutrients required for mycelium growth. The appropriate first nutritional material can be selected based on the type of mycelium selected later. It should be noted that compared to selecting a single nutritional source, when the first nutritional material comprises multiple nutritional sources at the same time, the growth of mycelium can be better promoted. For example, compared to adding only plant-derived protein, when plant-derived protein and carbohydrates are added at the same time, the growth rate of mycelium is faster.

[0034] In some embodiments, the plant-derived protein comprises soy protein, pea protein or a combination thereof, which can provide a nitrogen source required for mycelium growth. In some embodiments, the molecular weight of the plant-derived protein is 0.5x10 9 Dalton to 2.0x10 9 Dalton, for example 0.5x10 9 Dalton, 1.0x10 9 Dalton, 1.5x10 9 Dalton, 2.0x10 9 Dalton or the value in the above range. If the molecular weight is too large, the mycelium is not easy to absorb, and if the molecular weight is too small, the nutrient material is consumed too quickly. It can be understood that relative to soy protein (molecular weight 1.6x10 9 Daltons), choose plant-derived proteins with smaller molecular weight (e.g. molecular weight 1.0x10 9 Dalton's pea protein), can increase the nutrient absorption rate of mycelium and increase the growth rate of mycelium. In some embodiments, carbohydrates include monosaccharides (such as glucose, fructose or galactose, etc.), disaccharides (such as maltose, sucrose or lactose, etc.) or polysaccharides (such as starch), among which when monosaccharides with smaller molecular weight are selected, the mycelium absorption rate is faster, which can better promote the growth of mycelium. In some embodiments, inorganic salts include phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur or a combination thereof, which can supply the nutrients required for mycelium growth. In some embodiments, vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin B group, vitamin C, or a combination thereof, wherein vitamin B group has a better effect in promoting mycelium growth.

[0035] In some embodiments, the step of mixing the framework material and the first nutrient material comprises mixing the framework material, the first nutrient material and water, so that the framework material and the first nutrient material are uniformly dissolved in the spinning solution.

[0036] In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the skeleton material and the first nutrient material is 10:90 to 90:10, for example 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:80, 50:70, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, 90:10 or values ​​in the aforementioned range. If the weight ratio is too high, the nutrient source is insufficient, affecting the growth of mycelium. If the weight ratio is too low, the fiber strength is insufficient.

[0037] Step S120 is a wet spinning step, in which a spinning solution is subjected to a wet spinning process to obtain spun fibers. The spun fibers prepared by the wet spinning step contain a first nutrient material, which can provide a nutrient source required for subsequent mycelium growth.

[0038] In some embodiments, the wet spinning process includes introducing the spinning solution into a coagulation bath, so that the framework material and the first nutrient material are precipitated and solidified into spun fibers. In some embodiments, the coagulation bath includes a coagulation bath material and an organic solvent, wherein the coagulation bath material includes chloride or sulfate, etc., and the organic solvent includes ethanol or acetone. In one embodiment, a suitable coagulation bath material can be selected according to the selection of the framework material. For example, when the framework material is alginate, calcium chloride is selected as the coagulation bath material, and a spun fiber with better quality can be obtained.

[0039] Step S130 is a papermaking step, in which the spun fibers are subjected to a papermaking process to obtain an artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer. Through the papermaking process, an artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer with uniform pore size and appropriate pore size range can be obtained, so that subsequent mycelium can pass through the pores, strengthen the pore structure, and grow along the biomass fibers.

[0040] In some embodiments, the artificial bionutrient fiber layer is formed by interlacing a plurality of biofibers, and comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of holes extending from the first surface to the second surface.

[0041] In some embodiments, the papermaking process includes: cutting the spun fiber into a plurality of short fibers; dispersing the short fibers in an aqueous solution to form a papermaking liquid; and obtaining an artificial bionutrient fiber layer from the papermaking liquid using a filter screen or a papermaking machine. The artificial bionutrient fiber layer can be obtained in one go using a filter screen, and the artificial bionutrient fiber layer can be obtained continuously using a papermaking machine. In some embodiments, the length of each short fiber is 0.6 cm to 1.2 cm, such as 0.6 cm, 0.8 cm, 1 cm, 1.2 cm, or a value in the aforementioned range. If the length is too short, the cutting process is too lengthy, and if the length is too long, the structural uniformity of the artificial bionutrient fiber layer is poor.

[0042] In some embodiments, the artificial bio-based nutritional fiber layer comprises a skeleton material and a first nutritional material, when the weight percentage of the artificial bio-based nutritional fiber layer is 100%, the weight percentage of the skeleton material is 10% to 90% (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or values ​​in the aforementioned intervals), and the weight percentage of the first nutritional material is 10% to 90% (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or values ​​in the aforementioned intervals). If the weight percentage of the skeleton material is too high or the weight percentage of the first nutritional material is too low, the subsequent nutritional source of the mycelium is insufficient, affecting the growth of the mycelium; if the weight percentage of the skeleton material is too low or the weight percentage of the first nutritional material is too high, the strength of the artificial bio-based nutritional fiber layer is insufficient.

[0043] It is worth emphasizing that the pore size can be controlled within a suitable range through the papermaking process, for example, the pore size of the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer can be controlled between 500 microns and 1000 microns, such as 500 microns, 600 microns, 700 microns, 800 microns, 900 microns, 1000 microns or values ​​in the aforementioned range. If the pore size is too large, the subsequent growth of hyphae along the pores will have limited effect on reinforcing the structural strength; if the pore size is too small, the hyphae cannot pass through the pores and can only grow on a specific surface of the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer, and cannot extend to cover all surfaces of the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer, and the reinforcement of the structural strength and the improvement of softness are limited.

[0044] Step S140 is a mycelium growth step, in which a second nutrient material and a bacterial solution containing mycelium are added to the artificial bio-based nutrient fiber layer, so that the mycelium grows on the artificial bio-based nutrient fiber layer to obtain artificial leather.

[0045] In some embodiments, the second nutrient material may be the same as or similar to the first nutrient material, and is used to supplement the nutrients required for the growth of mycelium, such as plant-derived protein, carbohydrates, inorganic salts, vitamins, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the mycelium comprises mycelium of the genus Ganoderma, mycelium of the genus Pleurotus, mycelium of the genus Trametes, mycelium of the genus Leymus, mycelium of the genus Xanthophyll, mycelium of the genus Polyporus, mycelium of the genus Auricularia, mycelium of the genus Tremella, or a combination thereof.

[0046] In some embodiments, the mycelium grows along the biofibers in the artificial bionutrient fiber layer, clings to the biofibers, passes through the holes between the biofibers, extends and covers at least two surfaces, and forms a mycelium layer. That is, the mycelium layer in the artificial leather covers at least the first surface and the second surface of the artificial bionutrient fiber layer, and extends from the first surface to the second surface through the holes. In some embodiments, the mycelium layer covers multiple surfaces of the artificial bionutrient fiber layer, but exposes part of the artificial bionutrient fiber layer. In some embodiments, the mycelium layer completely covers the artificial bionutrient fiber layer (that is, the mycelium layer covers all surfaces of the artificial bionutrient fiber layer), so that the artificial bionutrient fiber layer is not exposed to the outside, but is buried in the mycelium layer. It can be understood that as the degree to which the mycelium layer covers the artificial bionutrient fiber layer increases, the effect of improving the structural strength and softness of the artificial fiber is better.

[0047] In addition, it is worth emphasizing that, compared to mycelium leather in which the mycelium only grows on a specific surface and cannot penetrate into the holes of the fiber layer (for example, because the holes in the fiber layer are too small or lack nutritional components, or chemical glue blocks the mycelium from extending to the fiber layer (for example, impregnation method)), the artificial biomass nutritional fiber layer of the artificial leather of the present application can not only supply nutritional materials to the mycelium, but also has a suitable pore size, which allows the mycelium to pass through the holes, extend along the holes, and cover multiple surfaces of the artificial biomass nutritional fiber layer. It can not only reinforce the strength defects at the holes and improve the structural strength, but also improve the softness of the artificial leather through the soft characteristics of the mycelium. In some embodiments, the ultimate tensile strength of the artificial leather is 3 MPa to 105 MPa, for example, 3 MPa, 5 MPa, 10 MPa, 20 MPa, 25 MPa, 30 MPa, 35 MPa, 40 MPa, 45 MPa, 50 MPa, 55 MPa, 60 MPa, 65 MPa, 70 MPa, 75 MPa, 80 MPa, 85 MPa, 90 MPa, 95 MPa, 100 MPa, 105 MPa or values ​​in the foregoing intervals.

[0048] In the following description, multiple embodiments of the present invention will be listed to perform various analyses to verify the efficacy of the present invention.

[0049] Example 1: Material screening of artificial bionutrient fiber layer

[0050] In order to test the optimal composition of the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer for mycelium growth, first, according to the additive formulas and agar in each group in Table 1, agar culture media with different additives and weight percentages were prepared (group numbers A to R, a total of 17 groups), wherein the weight percentage of agar was about 1% of the total weight of the culture medium.

[0051] Then, 5 ml of bacterial solution (concentration of bacterial solution was 34.5 μg / L) was spread on the agar medium of each group and cultured at 37° C. for several days. The hyphae growth and hyphae length of each group were compared. The results are described as follows.

[0052] Table 1. Formula of additives in each group of culture medium

[0053]

[0054]

[0055] Note 1: The molecular weight of soy protein is 1.6x10 9 Dalton.

[0056] Note 2: The molecular weight of pea protein is 1.0x10 9 Dalton.

[0057] 1. Does adding nutrients affect mycelium growth?

[0058] 1.1 Effects of fiber skeleton and nutrient materials (sugar source) on mycelial growth

[0059] Please refer to Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B , are comparison graphs of mycelium length of groups N, O, P, and R (with different sodium alginate and glucose contents, and without the addition of soy protein and pea protein) at different culture days, and photos of the culture medium of each group at the 10th day of culture.

[0060] The results show that (for example, see the 7th to 10th day), the group R (sodium alginate 0.3%) without any nutrient material added had insufficient mycelium density and length. In contrast, the mycelium growth was clearly observed in the groups N, O, and P to which nutrient materials (sugar source, glucose) were added. For example, see the 4th and 7th day. As the amount of nutrient materials added from group N to group P gradually increased (group N glucose was 0.3%, group O glucose was 0.7%, group P glucose was 1%), the mycelium growth rate also increased.

[0061] 1.2 Effects of nitrogen and carbohydrate sources on mycelial growth

[0062] Please refer to Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B, are comparison graphs of mycelium length of groups A, B, C, D, E, and F (with different soy protein, sodium alginate, and glucose contents, and no pea protein added) at different culture days, and photos of the culture medium of each group at the 10th day of culture.

[0063] First, for the comparison of soy protein, please refer to Groups A, B, C, and D (Group A has 0% soy protein, Group B has 0.3% soy protein, Group C has 0.7% soy protein, and Group D has 0.5% soy protein). On the 10th day, although the hyphae lengths of Groups B, C, and D with added soy protein were greater than those of Group A without added soy protein, the hyphae lengths did not continue to increase as the content of soy protein increased (please refer to Groups B, D, and C in sequence). That is, compared with Group A without added nutrients, Groups B, C, and D with added soy protein as a nutrient material can promote hyphae growth, but when the soy protein is excessive (for example, the weight percentage of soy protein in Group D is 0.5%, and the weight ratio of soy protein to sodium alginate is 1:1), the increase of soy protein has limited effect on promoting hyphae growth.

[0064] Next, the mycelial growth of the additional carbohydrate source (glucose) when the nitrogen source (soy protein) was contained was further compared, see groups B, C, D, E, F, G (group B: 0.3% soybean protein + glucose is 0%, group C: 0.7% soybean protein + glucose is 0%, group D: 0.5% soybean protein + glucose is 0%, group E: 0.3% soybean protein + glucose is 0.4%, group F: 0.2% soybean protein + glucose is 0.5%, group G: 0.1% soybean protein + glucose is 0.6%). On the 10th day, it can be observed that the mycelial length of groups E, F, and G with additional carbohydrate sources is greater than that of groups B, C, and D with only nitrogen sources added.

[0065] For example, comparing group B (without glucose) and group E (with glucose) with the same content of soy protein, the mycelium growth rate of group B is about 0.2 cm / day to 0.4 cm / day, and the mycelium growth rate of group E is about 0.6 cm / day to 0.8 cm / day, which is about 2.3 times the difference in mycelium growth rate. In other words, group E, which is added with both nitrogen source and sugar source, has a faster mycelium growth rate.

[0066] Therefore, compared with when the nutrient material only contains a nitrogen source, when the nutrient material contains both a nitrogen source and a carbohydrate source, the nutrients required for mycelium growth can be supplemented, thereby improving the mycelium growth performance.

[0067] 1.3 Effects of soybean protein, pea protein and glucose on mycelial growth

[0068] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 The graph is a comparison of the hyphae lengths of group F (0.2% soy protein + 0.5% glucose), group L (0.2% pea protein + 0.5% glucose), and group O (0.7% glucose) with the same total content of nutrient materials at different culture days.

[0069] Please refer to the 3rd and 4th days of the rapid growth stage of mycelium. Compared with group O (glucose) with only carbohydrate source, group F (soy protein + glucose) and group L (pea protein + glucose) have longer mycelium length and faster growth rate. Therefore, when the nutrient material contains both nitrogen source and carbohydrate source, it has a better promoting effect on the growth of mycelium.

[0070] Further, referring to the 3rd to the 8th day, compared with group F (soy protein + glucose), group L (pea protein + glucose) has a longer mycelium length and a faster growth rate. It is understandable that compared with soy protein, pea protein has a lower molecular weight and can be more easily absorbed by the bacteria. Therefore, compared with soy protein + glucose, pea protein + glucose has a better effect on promoting mycelium growth.

[0071] Example 2. Preparation and properties of artificial leather

[0072] 1. Preparation of artificial bio-nutritional fiber

[0073] In order to prepare artificial bio-nutritional fiber for fungal growth, soybean protein and sodium alginate are used together for wet spinning process to obtain spinning fibers, and then the spun fibers are used for papermaking process to obtain artificial bio-nutritional fiber. The specific steps are as follows.

[0074] 1.1. Preparation of spinning fibers

[0075] First, sodium alginate (skeleton material), soy protein (nutrient material) and water were mixed, heated and stirred until dissolved to form a spinning solution, wherein the total weight percentage of sodium alginate and soy protein in the spinning solution was 10%. In addition, in order to test the preparation conditions, the weight ratio of sodium alginate and soy protein was adjusted to prepare two sets of spinning solutions with a weight ratio of sodium alginate and soy protein of 50:50 or 35:65, respectively.

[0076] Next, the spinning solution is subjected to a wet spinning process, the spinning solution is introduced into a spinning machine, and the spinning solution flows out from a spinning nozzle and enters a coagulation bath containing 5% calcium chloride dissolved in ethanol, so that the sodium alginate and soybean protein are solidified and precipitated into spinning fibers.

[0077] 1.2. Preparation of paper

[0078] After the spun fibers are cut into short fibers with a length of 0.6 cm to 1.2 cm, the short fibers are dispersed in an aqueous solution to form a papermaking liquid. Then, a filter screen or a papermaking machine is used to obtain an artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer from the papermaking liquid and dry it to form a shape.

[0079] 2. Preparation of artificial leather

[0080] The artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer obtained in 1.2 was used as a fungus growth carrier to prepare artificial leather. Specifically, first, a 9 cm x 9 cm artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer was placed in a culture dish, and then 5 ml of a bacterial solution (concentration of bacterial solution: 34.5 mg / L) containing 10% by weight of a nutrient material (here, glucose was selected) was added to the surface of the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer, and cultured at 28°C for 14 days to allow mycelium to grow on the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer, obtaining artificial leather, and observing the growth of mycelium with an electron microscope.

[0081] It should be noted that, in theory, fungi with mycelium can be used to prepare artificial leather. Although Ganoderma lucidum is used in the current embodiment, it is not limited to this. In some other embodiments (not shown here for simplicity), Pleurotus eryngii is used instead of Ganoderma lucidum, and a similar growth trend can still be presented.

[0082] It is understood that the gauze fibers prepared by conventional techniques (see Figure 5A as well as Figure 5B ), the average pore size of gauze fiber is 2200 microns. Even if mycelium is grown on gauze fiber, because gauze fiber can't supply mycelia nutrient source, therefore, mycelia mainly grows on the upper surface of gauze fiber, and can't extend through hole to cover other surfaces, more can't coat whole gauze fiber. In addition, the pore size of gauze fiber is too large and uneven in size, even if mycelium is grown on gauze fiber, mycelia has limited effect on the structure reinforcement of gauze fiber.

[0083] In contrast, see Figure 5C as well as Figure 5D The artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer prepared by the papermaking process has an average pore size of 700 microns. The pores are of appropriate and uniform size. Mycelium can grow along the bio-nutrient fiber, pass through and fill the pores, and effectively strengthen the structural strength. Therefore, when mycelium grows in the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer, it can further enhance the structural strength and improve the softness of the artificial leather.

[0084] For example, see FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C , are electron microscope images of the upper surface, cross section and lower surface of the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer when the mycelium is cultured to the 5th day, respectively, wherein the growth of hyphae is observed on the upper surface, cross section and lower surface, and the hyphae pass through the holes in the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer and extend from the upper surface, through and protrude from the lower surface.

[0085] In addition, although not shown in the figure here, as the number of culture days increases (for example, 15 days), it can be observed that the hyphae grow along the biofibers and cover all surfaces of the entire artificial bionutrient fiber layer, so that only the hyphae layer is exposed to the outside of the artificial leather, while the artificial bionutrient fiber layer is embedded in the hyphae layer.

[0086] 3. Properties of artificial leather

[0087] In order to clarify the properties of artificial leather with a mycelium layer, the artificial leather prepared under different spinning solution conditions was cultured for 9 to 60 days (at this time, the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer was embedded in the mycelium layer in the artificial leather), and various properties of the two groups of artificial leather were measured, including bio-fiber diameter, fiber strength and elongation. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0088] Table 2

[0089]

[0090] The results in Table 2 show that when the content of soybean protein in the spinning solution increases and the content of sodium alginate decreases, the fiber diameter increases, the single fiber strength decreases, but the elongation rate increases.

[0091] Next, various properties of artificial leathers with different thicknesses in some embodiments of the present application are exemplified in Table 3.

[0092] Table 3

[0093]

[0094]

[0095] The features of some embodiments are summarized above so that those skilled in the art can better understand the viewpoints of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that they can easily use the present invention as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures to achieve the same purpose and / or achieve the same advantages as the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art should also understand that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An artificial leather, characterized in that: Include: An artificial bionutrient fiber layer comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of holes, wherein the plurality of holes extend from the first surface to the second surface; as well as The mycelium layer covers the first surface and the second surface of the artificial bionutrient fiber layer and extends from the first surface to the second surface through the plurality of holes.

2. The artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of each of the holes is between 500 micrometers and 1000 micrometers.

3. The artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer comprises a skeleton material and a nutrient material, and when the weight percentage of the artificial bio-nutrient fiber layer is 100%, the weight percentage of the skeleton material is 10% to 90%, and the weight percentage of the nutrient material is 10% to 90%. The artificial leather according to claim 3 , wherein the skeleton material comprises alginate.

5. The artificial leather according to claim 3, wherein the nutritional material comprises plant-derived protein, carbohydrates, inorganic salts, vitamins or a combination thereof.

6. The artificial leather according to claim 5, wherein the plant-derived protein comprises soy protein, pea protein or a combination thereof.

7. A method for producing artificial leather, characterized in that: Include: A mixing step of mixing the skeleton material and the first nutrient material to obtain a spinning solution; A wet spinning step, wherein the spinning solution is subjected to a wet spinning process to obtain spun fibers; a papermaking step, performing a papermaking process on the spun fibers to obtain an artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer; as well as The mycelium growth step includes adding a second nutrient material and a mycelium-containing bacterial solution onto the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer, so that the mycelium grows on the artificial biomass nutrient fiber layer to obtain artificial leather.

8. The method for producing artificial leather according to claim 7, wherein the papermaking process comprises: cutting the spun fiber into a plurality of short fibers; dispersing the plurality of short fibers in an aqueous solution to form a papermaking solution; and The artificial bionutrient fiber layer is obtained from the papermaking liquid by using a filter screen or a papermaking machine.

9. The method for manufacturing artificial leather according to claim 7, wherein the artificial bionutrient fiber layer comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of holes extending from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the mycelium completely covers the artificial bionutrient fiber layer and extends from the first surface to the second surface through the plurality of holes.

10. The method for producing artificial leather according to claim 7, wherein the ultimate tensile strength of the artificial leather is 3 MPa to 105 MPa.

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