Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and bactericidal activities of hybrid from cellulose and TiO₂

The purpose of this study was to explore a new strategy to improve the high value-added applications of biomass. Hybrid from cellulose and titanium dioxide (TiO2) was successfully prepared by using tetra-n-butyl titanate and cellulose solution via a hydrothermal method at 180°C for 24h. The phase, microstructure, morphology, and thermal stability of the hybrid were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influences of the tetra-n-butyl titanate concentration and the types of solvent on the products were investigated. The TiO2 nanoparticles were dispersed on the surface of cellulose and/or in the cellulose matrix. The hybrid possessed an antimicrobial activity against the model microbes Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), and were a promising antimicrobial material for the applications in the biomedical field.