Evaluation of titanium dioxide/catechol polyurethane composite for antimicrobial resistance and wastewater treatment

Abstract In this study, a novel approach for the environmentally conscious extraction of titanium dioxide from ilmenite ore while limiting the environmental impact and enhancing the advantage from an economic process. Leaching conditions were tested with different acids for effective separation of the TiO2 and were optimized concerning different experimental parameters. TiO2 and TiO2NPs were characterized using with different tools. Catechol polyurethane foam immobilized with TiO2NPs was prepared and its antimicrobial action was tested against Gram-negative bacterium E. coli, Gram-positive bacterium B. cereus, and fungus A. niger. CAT-PUF /TiO2NPs showed antimicrobial effect against E. coli, B. cereus, and A. niger with inhibition zones of 27 ± 0.14, 12 ± 0.14, and 22 ± 0.06 mm, respectively. Incorporating bioinformatics, this research contributes to the burgeoning field of nanotechnology-enabled antimicrobial materials, offering insights into the potential applications of CAT-PUF/TiO2NPs in combating microbial threats. Through bio-informatics tools, the potential toxicity of the synthesized nanoparticles was assessed, providing valuable insights into their safety profile and environmental impact. Furthermore, simulating the binding affinity between the nanoparticles and target biomolecules, such as cell membrane proteins or enzyme receptors, this aspect of the research sheds light on the mechanistic underpinnings of their antimicrobial efficacy.