Highly efficient antibacterial nanocomposite films consisting of a commercially available poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) incorporating synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles have been prepared with different anatase contents by a simple approach with absence of any solvent. These materials display powerful antimicrobial activity toward both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria under UV and, surprisingly, visible lights. Their optical characterization has pointed out that absorption is significantly increased in the nanocomposites at the visible range, being this aspect behind the excellent capability exhibited against microorganisms.

This work was supported by MINECO (projects MAT2013-47972-C2-1-P and PRI-PIBJP-2011-0914), the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under Grant agreement n 312284, and Fundación General del CSIC (ComFuturo Programme). MINECO is also acknowledged for a Ramón y Cajal contract of AMB. We are very grateful to Arkema as supplier of the PVDF used in this study

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