Synthesis of Poly (methyl methacrylate)-Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

In recent years, nanoparticle-enhanced polymers have garnered significant attention due to the increasing demand for clean, non-toxic chemicals, low-cost methods, environmentally friendly solvents, and renewable materials. In the present study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) were biosynthesized chemically and biologically using an extract from the stem of the Balanites aegyptiaca plant. The surface of the nanoparticles was enhanced by implanting PMMA onto the nanoparticle surface to improve the polymer's physical and mechanical properties. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR, UV, XRD, and HR-TEM methods. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of TiO₂NPs, confirmed by an occurrence peak at 25.28, which corresponds to anatase 101. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-TEM) results showed that the synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles were spherical, with individual nanoparticle sizes, as well as some aggregates, ranging from 1 to 9 nm. The antibacterial activities of biosynthesized nanoparticles (titanium dioxide nanoparticles) were investigated using the disc method. The polymer enhanced with titanium dioxide nanoparticles exhibited significant antibacterial activity.