Well‐defined poly(methyl methacrylate) hybrid titanium dioxide via miniemulsion polymerization: Design and evaluation of methylene blue dye degradation and antibacterial

Abstract

A poly(methyl methacrylate)/TiO2 (PMMA/TiO2) hybrid was synthesized in the presence of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinking agent. Different types of TiO2 rutile, anatase, and P25 were employed in this study, and the morphology, crystalline structure, particle size, thermal properties, photocatalytic activity, and antibacterial activity were investigated. The results show that the particle size of the PMMA/TiO2 hybrids was in the range of 73.3 nm to 210.0 nm. The morphology of the PMMA/TiO2 hybrid was spherical with a narrow particle size distribution. The thermal properties of the PMMA/TiO2 hybrid were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry. The glass transition temperature of the PMMA/TiO2 was higher than that of pristine PMMA. The photocatalytic properties were investigated by monitoring the color changes of methylene blue (MB). It was found that the MB degradation for the PMMA hybrid anatase TiO2 (PMMA/aTiO2) reached 80%, which was similar to that for the PMMA hybrid P25TiO2 at 83% in 60 min. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the PMMA/TiO2 hybrids were estimated. The MIC of PMMA hybrid anatase TiO2 was 9.65 mg mL−1 (P. aeruginosa) and 19.33 mg mL−1 (S. aureus) which can inhibit the bacteria. The MBC results of the PMMA/aTiO2 were 19.33 mg mL−1 for both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.Highlights TiO2 nanoparticle encapsulation with poly(methyl methacrylate) via mini‐emulsion polymerization. Encapsulated particles exhibit excellent photocatalytic properties. Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) crosslinking ensures stability, enhances photocatalytic property. The influence of TEGDMA on the hybrid was discussed.