A simple and convenient method for the surface coating of TiO2 nanoparticles with bioactive chiral diacids containing different amino acids as the coupling agent

Abstract

For practical applications, especially in an organic-solution situation, the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NP)s requires modification with an organic coupling agent. Therefore, in this study, the surface of TiO₂ NPs with average diameter of 30 nm was modified with bioactive dicarboxylic acids (DA)s containing different natural amino acids such as l-valine, l-methionine, l-leucine, and l-isoleucine. The prepared DAs-modified TiO₂NPs were studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The results showed that the modifiers were grafted on the surface of TiO₂ NPs. Modified TiO₂ NPs could be environmentally friendly due to the presence of bioactive DAs.