Thermal, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties of calcinated nano-TiO2/polymer composites

The TiO2 nanoparticles, PVA/TiO2 and PEG/TiO2 composites were syntheses by using the sol-gel method. For the characterization of synthesized TiO2, PVA/TiO2, and PEG/TiO2 composites, SEM-EDS, XRD, FTIR, and TGA measurements were used. Hardness measurements were done using Vickers hardness tester. The photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of TiO2 nanoparticles, PVA/TiO2 and PEG/TiO2 were determined using by Acid Black I dye and E. coli bacteria, respectively. As a result of photocatalytic and antibacterial experiments, PEG/TiO2 composite showed better activity compared to other samples. The dye decomposition of the PEG/TiO2 composite is 62.82% while the bacteria removal is 26.2%. [Display omitted] •We synthesized porous TiO2 nanoparticles and PVA-PEG/TiO2 composites using the sol-gel technique.•As a result of thermal analysis, the PEG/TiO2 composite showed good thermal resistance with a weight loss of 0.41%.•Photocatalytic activity with Acid Black I dye and antibacterial activity with E.coli bacteria was evaluated.•As a result of the analyses, it was determined that PEG/TiO2 composite shows the best activity.