Anatase titanium dioxide loaded polylactide membranous films: preparation, characterization, and antibacterial activity assessment

Abstract

In this study, the preparation method and characteristics of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticle-loaded polylactide (PLA) films and their antibacterial efficacy against Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) bacterium were studied. A series of PLA nanocomposites containing, respectively, 0, 1, and 5% (wt.) titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were prepared by melt intercalation method. The effect of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the thermal and mechanical characteristics of the films was determined. Thermal analysis showed that the glass transition temperature, crystallization temperature, melting temperature, and decomposition temperatures (Td_0.5 and Td_0.05) decreased with the filler content. The results obtained from tensile tests showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles reduced the mechanical properties and moduli of the PLA films. On the other hand, the water absorption properties of the nanocomposite films increased with the addition of nanoparticles and nanocomposite films exhibited bacteriostatic and limited bactericidal efficacy according to AATCC 147. Consequently, nanocomposite films may be good materials for medical applications due to their membranous properties.

Keywords:

• anatase titanium dioxide
• membranous films
• polylactide
• biodegradable

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Istanbul Technical University and TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) and also thankful to Distinguished Prof. Dr. Mukerrem Cakmak, from the University of Akron for their support on characterization of the films. The authors are grateful to Ekoteks Lab Isl. Ltd for allowing them to use their laboratory facilities for antibacterial tests and to Mrs Sevim Atmaca Razaq, Technical Manager of Ekoteks Lab Isl. Ltd for her support and also to Mrs Haike Hilke and Miss Emel Duran, for their experimental assistance and technical support.

Funding

This research was supported by the Istanbul Technical University Scientific Research Project Fund, [BAP-32856] and TUBITAK BIDEB-2214 (International Research Fellowship Program of The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey).