Tuning of TiO2 nanoparticles incorporation in poly methyl methacrylate for synthesis of polymer nanocomposites for promising biomedical application

Abstract

Polymer Nano-Composites (PNC) exhibit advanced applications that depend on the surface characteristics and physicochemical properties of materials. These physical and physicochemical properties of materials can be modified for the use of nanomaterials as fillers in a polymer matrix with some appropriate mixing or incorporation. Hence, it is a critical and crucial task to identify the apt amount of the filler that is suitable for most of the applications. Hence, to identify the apt amount that is suitable for various applications, we had synthesized the PNC using TiO2 Nano-Particles (NPs) as filler in various amounts in Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA). As synthesized PNC was characterized for their optical, surface and electrical properties. The results are compared in such a manner to find out the apt amount of TiO2, which can give the best performance as PNC for various applications. The study illustrates that less than 2% of TiO2 incorporation is insufficient as the total surface contact is very less that is not suitable for most of the applications. While for the incorporation of more than 5% of TiO2 NPs, particles get start to agglomerate during the synthesis of PNC that limits the applications of PNC that is generated due to nano-phase of the material. The focused aim of this study is to enhance the properties of polymers in such a manner that they can be used as biomaterials. Hence, we have also explored the wettability and bacterial response of the PNC. Here 3% − 4% incorporation of TiO2 NPs provides excellent results to PNC, so at these incorporation amounts of TiO2 in PMMA, this modified PNC can be used as a biomaterial. The technique explores the use of nanotechnology for the new class of PNC with modified properties.