Facile Characterization of Titanium Dioxide Nano- particles Prepared via Hydrothermal Method with in-situ Surface Modification

Abstract

Aim: The present study is focused on the synthesis and characterization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles prepared via the hydrothermal method prepared via in-situ surface modification. 
 Purpose of the study: The proposed research is based on the requirement of alternate antimicrobial therapies. The global misuse and overuse of antibiotics have given rise to the antibiotic resistance crisis. The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria has failed the conventional treatment methods involving antibiotics. To meet the need for efficient alternate strategies, metal oxide nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide are explored since it's known for their preventing and treating infections.
 Method: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal and Surface modification of nanoparticles in dehydrated ethanol at room temperature. The obtained nanoparticles are characterized by utilizing Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Zeta Potential Analysis, Thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy. 
 Results: According to scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the morphological analysis of the synthesized titanium dioxide was spherical shaped and had an average size of 5-20nm and a size distribution of 14-20nm. The Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis depicted the percentage of elements in TiO2 as Ti (47.10%) and O2 (52.90%). The zeta potential for titanium dioxide was reported as -13.39, and the negative value indicated superior physical stability of nanoparticles in a suspension. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy peak at 1417.68 indicated the O-Ti-O bond in anatase morphology. While Thermogravimetric analysis showed three main stages of mass loss, there was no mass loss after 503°C, which started oxide formation.
 Conclusion: It was concluded from the present study that the synthesis of titanium dioxide is an economical process and yields excellent nanoparticles via the hydrothermal method. Characterization of the nanomaterial allowed us to determine the thermal stability, morphology, and purity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles.