Versatile SiO2 Nanoparticles@Polymer Composites with Pragmatic Properties

In the present work, we report the fabrication of silica nanoparticles embedded polymeric (SiO2 nanoparticles@polymer) composite films for numerous traits like texture, folding endurance, crystallinity, size, thermal behavior, spectral analysis, and bioactivity. Significant facets of bulky, inert, inorganic materials are known to burgeon out due to the high surface area of nanosized particles. Nature and proportion of silica nanoparticles as well as polymers exhibited remarkable impact on the fabrication and quality of casted films. Hydrophilic silica nanoparticulate-PVA films depicted better mechanical properties like thermal plus photo stability. Hydrophobic silica nanoparticulate-PMMA films showed qualities of a robust, active, thermostable, antimicrobial material that could resist extreme storage and processing conditions. Overall, these metal oxide nanoparticle-polymer composite films possess qualities reflecting their potential in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry. 1. Introduction Presently, inorganic nanoparticulate-polymeric interfaces are evolving as intelligent approaches with miscellaneous applications. Compared to their organic counterparts, inorganic materials resist chemical attack and have good mechanical strength and higher tolerance; hence, they are explored for commercial use [1]. Cefaclor reduced gold nanoparticles coated on poly(ethyleneimine) modified glass surfaces were explored as effective and robust antimicrobial coatings for various biomedical applications [2]. Silver nanoparticles impregnated chitosan films showed fast and long-lasting antibacterial activity [3]. Magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with polymeric composites retained 100% biocidal efficiency [4]. In brief, polymeric scaffolds aid in ease of nanoparticulate fabrication and impart surface alterations along with enhanced activity [5]. Inorganic zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and analogous metal oxides as nanoparticulate systems have received considerable attention for their exclusive features and applications [6]. As the surface area-to-volume ratio of bulk particles increases with decrease in the particle size, inorganic nanoparticles are known to illustrate miscellaneous properties leading to a plethora of activities compared to normal bulk materials. Zinc oxide nanocomposites in thermoplastic polymers showed improved interactions and immense antimicrobial activity [7]. Crack-free titanium dioxide nanoparticles casted on poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrates possessed greater antibacterial effects [8]. Silicates happen to be better inert substrates and