Chitosan and TiO2 functionalized polypropylene nonwoven fabrics with visible light induced photocatalytic antibacterial performances

Chitosan/TiO2 functionalized polypropylene (CS/TiO2/PP) nonwoven fabrics were fabricated through cross linking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde followed by loading of TiO2 nanoparticles. The functionalized CS/TiO2/ PP has super hydrophilicity and excellent visible light induced photocatalytic antibacterial properties owing to the synergistic effects of CS and TiO2. The photocatalytic degradation performance was determined by assessing the degradation of methyl blue under simulated visible light irradiation and its recyclability was also evaluated. In addition, SEM images demonstrated that TiO2 nanoparticles were distributed evenly on the surface of the 2 g/ L CS/TiO2/PP. Meanwhile, the polypropylene surface showed a significant increase in hydrophilicity after being treated with chitosan and TiO2. The photocatalytic degradation results revealed that CS/TiO2/PP had higher photocatalytic properties than those of pure PP under visible light, and the degradation rate of methylene blue reached 96.4 % after 90 min of light exposure. Compared to pure PP, the antibacterial properties of CS/TiO2/PP significantly increased, and the bacterial reduction percentages were increased to 98.7 % and 96.3 %, against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The functionalized CS/TiO2/PP composites exhibited promising potential in environmentally friendly antibacterial materials.

Automated summary

Chitosan/TiO2 functionalized polypropylene nonwoven fabrics were prepared through crosslinking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde followed by loading of TiO2 nanoparticles. The functionalized material showed super hydrophilicity and excellent visible light induced photocatalytic antibacterial properties due to the synergistic effects of chitosan and TiO2. SEM images demonstrated the even distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of the material. Photocatalytic degradation experiments showed higher photocatalytic properties compared to pure polypropylene under visible light, with a methylene blue degradation rate of 96.4% after 90 minutes of light exposure. The antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus were significantly increased, with bacterial reduction percentages of 98.7% and 96.3%, respectively. The functionalized composite material exhibited promising potential in environmentally friendly antibacterial applications.