Abstract
This work aims to enhance the photocatalytic antibacterial performance of plastics according to the JIS Z 2801:2010 standard, and to determine their mechanical properties by studying: (i) the influence of calcination on titanium dioxide (TiO2); (ii) modification with different TiO2 concentrations, and; (iii) the effect of silane as a coupling agent. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastics (ABS) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were chosen as the model plastic and bacteria, respectively. The 500 °C calcined TiO2 successfully provided the best photoantibacterial activity, with an approximately 62% decrease of E. coli colony counts following 30 min of exposure. Heat treatment improved the crystallinity of anatase TiO2, resulting in low electron-hole recombination, while effectively adsorbing reactants on the surface. ABS with 500 °C-calcined TiO2 at the concentration of 1 wt % gave rise to the highest performance due to the improved distribution of TiO2. At this point, blending silane coupling agent could further improve the efficacy of photoantibacterial activity up to 75% due to greater interactions with the polymer matrix. Moreover, it could promote a 1.6-fold increase of yield strength via increased adherent bonding between TiO2 and the ABS matrix. Excellent photocatalytic and material stability can be achieved, with constant photocatalytic efficiency remaining for up to five reuse cycles without loss in the yield strength.
Highlights
Thermoplastic polymers are widely used for appliances such as sanitary ware, medical appliances, furniture and children’s toys due to their favorable properties, such as excellent impact resistance, good machinability and excellent aesthetic qualities [1]
This study focuses on improving photoantibacterial performance following the standard JIS Z 2801, which covers the ability of plastic surfaces to inhibit the growth of microorganisms
We investigate strength properties of ABS plastic with modified TiO2
Summary
Thermoplastic polymers are widely used for appliances such as sanitary ware, medical appliances, furniture and children’s toys due to their favorable properties, such as excellent impact resistance, good machinability and excellent aesthetic qualities [1]. Polymers 2020, 12, 917 contamination, including viruses, fungi and bacteria, which are harmful to the environment, hazardous to humans, and are difficult to disinfect. The generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in bacterial disinfection. Photocatalysis have attracted considerable attention in solving bacterial contamination as a clean, energy-efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly technology. Photocatalytic bacterial inactivation relies upon the generation of highly reactive short-lived hydroxyl radicals and reactive oxygen that efficiently damage the cell membranes of microorganisms. TiO2 is widely used for photocatalytic applications due to its high stability, low cost and non-toxicity [4,5]. Lee and Chang reviewed composite photocatalysts widely used for degradation of hazardous chemicals, antibacterial, and photocatalytic hydrogen production [7]
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