Green-synthesized TiO2@Cu2O hybrid nanoparticles for mechanically reinforced, antibacterial, and antifouling poly(vinyl chloride–vinyl isobutyl ether) coatings

Green-synthesized TiO2@Cu2O hybrid nanoparticles for mechanically reinforced, antibacterial, and antifouling poly(vinyl chloride–vinyl isobutyl ether) coatings | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Green-synthesized TiO 2 @Cu 2 O hybrid nanoparticles for mechanically reinforced, antibacterial, and antifouling poly(vinyl chloride–vinyl isobutyl ether) coatings Do Van Cong, Nguyen Thuy Chinh, Nguyen Xuan Thai, Nguyen Anh Hiep, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9256373/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The development of multifunctional coatings with antimicrobial, self-cleaning, and protective performance has intensified interest in nanostructured additives. Rutile TiO₂ offers strong light scattering, UV resistance, stability, and low cost, whereas Cu₂O provides intrinsic antibacterial activity via copper ion release and reactive oxygen species generation. Constructing TiO₂@Cu₂O core–shell heterostructures enhances charge separation, broadens visible-light absorption, and promotes synergistic antibacterial effects. Herein, TiO₂@Cu₂O nanopowders were green-synthesized with L-ascorbic acid being used as a reductant, polyethylene glycol and Tween 80 as surfactants. XRD, TEM, SEM, and EDS analyses confirmed the formation of Cu₂O crystals (4.17 wt.%) on rutile TiO₂ nanorods without altering the host crystal structure. The hybrid nanostructures extended optical absorption from 450 to 800 nm. Incorporation of 2 wt.% TiO₂@Cu₂O into poly(vinyl chloride–vinyl isobutyl ether) (PVE) coatings enhanced impact resistance, relative hardness, adhesion, and abrasion resistance by 28.6%, 51.4%, 12.5%, and 22.9%, respectively. The modified coatings exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas stutzeri B27, improved UV–humidity aging resistance, and reduced photodegradation and gloss loss. Controlled Cu ion release (23 µg/L) in seawater contributed to biofilm suppression and antifouling performance, highlighting the potential of TiO₂@Cu₂O as a multifunctional additive for durable PVE-based protective coatings. coating TiO2@Cu2O nanocomposite antibacterial antifouling vinyl ether resin Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 09 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 08 Apr, 2026 Editor invited by journal 02 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 30 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 28 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9256373","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":619974550,"identity":"4c3af9b0-c195-49a4-ac9e-4433948efa21","order_by":0,"name":"Do Van 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Rutile TiO₂ offers strong light scattering, UV resistance, stability, and low cost, whereas Cu₂O provides intrinsic antibacterial activity via copper ion release and reactive oxygen species generation. Constructing TiO₂@Cu₂O core\u0026ndash;shell heterostructures enhances charge separation, broadens visible-light absorption, and promotes synergistic antibacterial effects. Herein, TiO₂@Cu₂O nanopowders were green-synthesized with L-ascorbic acid being used as a reductant, polyethylene glycol and Tween 80 as surfactants. XRD, TEM, SEM, and EDS analyses confirmed the formation of Cu₂O crystals (4.17 wt.%) on rutile TiO₂ nanorods without altering the host crystal structure. The hybrid nanostructures extended optical absorption from 450 to 800 nm. Incorporation of 2 wt.% TiO₂@Cu₂O into poly(vinyl chloride\u0026ndash;vinyl isobutyl ether) (PVE) coatings enhanced impact resistance, relative hardness, adhesion, and abrasion resistance by 28.6%, 51.4%, 12.5%, and 22.9%, respectively. 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