Multifunctional Imidazole-Functionalized Polyaspartamide/TiO2 Composites for UV Screening, Heavy Metal Removal, and Suppressed Photocatalytic Activity
발표자
HEND (성균관대학교)
연구책임자
송창식 (성균관대학교)
초록
내용
With global warming accelerating and the ozone layer depleting, increased UV exposure raises skin-related health concerns. Titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based inorganic sunscreens are widely used but suffer from visible white turbidity and photocatalytic skin oxidation. In this study, TiO2/polyaspartamide composites (T-PH and T-PA), functionalized with histamine and aminopropyl imidazole, were synthesized. The imidazole-bearing polymers were covalently grafted onto TiO2, improving nanoparticle dispersion and enabling heavy metal adsorption via metal–ligand coordination. Compared to unmodified TiO2, the composites showed a 33% reduction in whiteness index and suppressed methylene blue degradation (from 100% to 16–30%). They also displayed enhanced Cu2+ and Ni2+ ion adsorption. These multifunctional hybrids are promising for next-generation sunscreens, combining UV protection, high transparency, and environmental remediation.