Multi‐Parameter Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Biodegradable Poly‐l‐Lactide and Polyhydroxybutyrate‐co‐Hydroxyhexanoate Films Incorporating TiO2

The growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable materials has driven the development of biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates, as alternatives to traditional plastics. This study investigates the incorporation of titanium dioxide (TiO2) into PLA and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBH) matrices to enhance their material properties and functional capabilities. The effect of increasing TiO2 content on key properties such as mechanical strength, thermal behavior, hydrophobicity, and breathability was examined through various characterization techniques. The results revealed distinct behaviors for the two polymer composites. PLA/TiO2 composites exhibited improved mechanical properties, such as enhanced tensile strength, while PHBH/TiO2 composites showed a significant increase in crystallinity and thermal stability, though their mechanical strength slightly decreased probably due to poor filler/polymer interaction and partial filler aggregation. The incorporation of TiO2 also significantly affected the hydrophobicity and water vapor transmission rate of the composites, with PHBH composites displaying increased water permeability at higher TiO2 content. Furthermore, PHBH/TiO2 composites demonstrated superior photocatalytic activity in degrading methylene blue dye, outperforming PLA/TiO2 composites (36% degradation in 120 min compared to 27%).