Preparing self-cleaning and antibacterial polysulfone nano-fibers using TiO2, ZnO, and SiO2 nanoparticles with electrospinning method

Abstract

This experiment used the electrospinning method to synthesize polysulfone nanofibers composited with TiO2, ZnO, and SiO2 nanoparticles. The goal was to prepare a nanofiber with super hydrophobic, self-cleaning, and antibacterial properties. Polysulfones are widely applied industrial polymers due to their low costs and high resistance; hence, various nanoparticles can be used to add unique features to this type of polymer. TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles are each characterized by specific photocatalytic properties. In the presence of light and moisture, these nanoparticles degrade contamination and organic compounds and prevent surfaces from getting dirty. In addition, ZnO is antibacterial and the SiO2 nanoparticle is a hydrophilic substance, which can be made highly hydrophobic if its surface is modified with organic chains. A combination of these three nanoparticles in a good medium can create self-cleaning, anti-bacterial, and super-hydrophobic properties. In this research, a DMF solvent and the said nanoparticles were used to synthesize a SiO2/ZnO/TiO2-PS nanofiber with an average diameter.