Synthesis of composites from hydroxypropyl cellulose:iron (III) oxide nanoparticles

In the present work, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hematite (α-Fe ₂ O ₃ ) nanoparticles (HPC:Fe ₂ O ₃ NPs) composites in various ratios (20:0.5, 20:1, 20:1.5, and 20:2 wt:wt) were synthesised. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis (DSC, and TGA) were used to examine the structural configuration and thermal properties of the produced composites. The IR crystallinity indices (TCI, LOI, and HBI) were also computed. XRD patterns reveal a mixture of amorphous HPC polymer components and Fe ₂ O ₃ NPs which identifies the relationship between the characteristics of the structure. Distributions and dispersions of Fe ₂ O ₃ NPs on the surface of HPC are apparent in SEM. FTIR absorbance spectra reveal that as the quantity of Fe ₂ O ₃ NPs increased alterations in the intensity, area, and band width were found indicating a change in the molecular configuration of HPC. Variations in the shape, size, and shifts in melting temperature to higher temperatures were found by DSC and TGA when the amount of Fe ₂ O ₃ NPs is increased which could be due to interactions between HPC and Fe ₂ O ₃ NPs. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposites was tested against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria. The composites have good antibacterial activity, confirmed a high potential of antibacterial activity. The findings demonstrated that HPC:Fe ₂ O ₃ NPs composites lead to technological applications in a variety of medical applications.