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)/TiO 2 (PMMA/TiO 2 ) hybrid was synthesized in the presence of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinking agent. Different types of TiO 2 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/TiO 2 hybrids was in the range of 73.3 nm to 210.0 nm. The morphology of the PMMA/TiO 2 hybrid was spherical with a narrow particle size distribution. The thermal properties of the PMMA/TiO 2 hybrid were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry. The glass transition temperature of the PMMA/TiO 2 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 TiO 2 (PMMA/aTiO 2 ) reached 80%, which was similar to that for the PMMA hybrid P25TiO 2 at 83% in 60 min. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the PMMA/TiO 2 hybrids were estimated. The MIC of PMMA hybrid anatase TiO 2 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/aTiO 2 were 19.33 mg mL −1 for both P . aeruginosa and S. aureus . Highlights TiO 2 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.