Light-driven novel properties of TiO2-modified polypropylene-based nanocomposite films.

Nanocomposite films obtained by TiO2 incorporation into a polypropylene (PP) polymer matrix were prepared via a straightforward melting process. The structural characteristics of the nanocomposite materials were examined by a multitechnique approach showing the outstanding morphological uniformity of the films. TiO2 incorporation into the polymer matrix renders self-sterilized and self-degradable materials which showed an impressive performance against gram-positive, gram-negative, coccus and yeast micro-organisms. Optimization of the novel properties of TiO2-PP nanocomposite films is reached with a 2 wt% of oxide content loading. The physico-chemical bases of this optimum are discussed.