Physical and chemical degradation of PTFE magnetic stir bars induced by TiO2-based materials

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) magnetic stir bars are widely used in laboratorial, industrial, and biomedical routine activities due to their chemical inertness. Here the physical exfoliation of PTFE magnetic stir bars, previously revealed in specific experimental conditions, was confirmed in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. Moreover, the chemical surface degradation of PTFE magnetic stir bars was revealed for the first time, due to the effect produced by the oxidative activity of a hybrid TiO2-based material under indirect daylight conditions that might be also combined with the tribocatalytic activity of TiO2.