Multifunctional Cyclic Olefin Copolymer-Titanium Dioxide-Based Nanocomposites for Enhanced Antibacterial and Biocompatible Properties
Zakia Riaz, Murad Ali, Amna Didar Abbasi, Kamran A. Khan, Ömer Aydın
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The growing demand for multifunctional materials in biomedical and packaging applications necessitates the development of advanced nanocomposites with superior mechanical, barrier, and antibacterial properties. This study presents cyclic olefin copolymer (COC)/titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanocomposite films fabricated through the facile solution casting method, incorporating TiO 2 at concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 wt %. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed effective TiO 2 dispersion at lower concentrations, while agglomeration was observed at 5 wt %. The incorporation of TiO 2 significantly enhanced barrier properties, reducing water vapor permeability from 80.67 to 29.99 g/m 2 h and oxygen permeability from 7.66 to 2.78 mg/mL. Mechanical properties showed marked improvement, with tensile strength increasing by 113% and tensile modulus by 81.3% at 3 wt % TiO 2 . Antibacterial tests demonstrated efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, while cytotoxicity studies confirmed the biocompatibility of the films. These findings highlight the potential of COC/TiO 2 nanocomposites for applications, such as antibacterial coatings, wound healing patches, and high-performance packaging.