Composite nanoparticles with titania–poly(N-vinylamide) core–shell structure

Composite nanoparticles with a core consisting of associated anatase crystallites and a polymeric shell consisting of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) or poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) were synthesized and found to have antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as well as photocatalytic activity in decomposition of methyl orange and methylene blue dyes. The highest antibacterial activity of the particles with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) shell is due to the larger amount of S O 4 2 − groups and water adsorbed on the surface, while their photocatalytic activity is comparable with that of commercial nanoanatase samples.