The Role of TiO2 Nanoparticles in the Structural, Thermal and Electrical Properties and Antibacterial Activity of PEO/PVP Blend for Energy Storage and Antimicrobial Application

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) were successfully synthesized via the sol–gel method. Samples based on poly
(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (50/50 wt%) loaded with TiO2NPs was prepared via casting method.
X-ray difraction (XRD) showed that the semi-crystalline features of the PEO/PVP blend. Transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) shows that the prepared TiO2NPs have an average diameter of about 14.5 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR)
spectroscopy exhibited the interactions between TiO2NPs and the functional groups of PEO/PVP blend, in particular the
C–O–C ether group for PEO and C=O groups for PVP. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows an improvement in thermal stability after incorporation of TiO2NPs into a polymeric matrix. Alternating current (AC) conductivity was increased
with increasing concentration of the TiO2. The maximum value of AC conductivity was 1.65× 10–5 S.cm−1 at 0.60 wt% of
TiO2NPs in the polymeric sample. After the addition of TiO2NPs, an enhancement in the dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (ɛʺ) of PEO/PVP were revealed. The PEO/PVP/TiO2NPs samples were screened for their in vitro antibacterial
activity against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria test. These nanocomposite flms can be used in the semiconductors, portable
electrochemical battery and energy-storage industries, due to the remarkable improvements in optical, thermal and electrical
properties. Also, the excellent antibacterial activity of these samples supply a new and simple way to synthesize polymeric
samples as functional biomaterial and has potential for use in food packaging application.