Organic–inorganic hybrid membranes prepared from the sol–gel process of poly(butyleneadipate‐co‐terephthalate) and TiO2

Organic–inorganic hybrids based on poly(butyleneadipate‐co‐terephthalate)/titanium dioxide (PBAT/TiO2) hybrid membranes were prepared via a sol–gel process. The PBAT/TiO2 hybrid membranes were prepared for various PBAT/TiO2 ratios. The resulting hybrids were characterized with a morphological structure, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and thermal properties. The results showed that macrovoids underwent a transition into a sponge‐like membrane structure with the addition of TiO2. After sol–gel transition, a strong interaction between the inorganic network and polymeric chains led to an increase in glass transition temperature (Tg), thermal degrading temperature, and hydrophilicity, and hence a higher biodegradability. According to X‐ray diffraction measurements of the crystal structure of the hybrid, the presence of TiO2 did not change the crystal structure of PBAT. TiO2 networks are uniformly dispersed into the PBAT matrix and no aggregation of TiO2 networks in the hybrid membranes was observed through the small angle X‐ray scattering measurements. Thus, the sol–gel process of PBAT and TiO2 can be used to prepare a hybrid with higher application temperature and faster biodegradation rate.