How Antibacterial Nanosilver is Becoming a Solution

As the most commonly used engineered nanomaterial, nanosilver has found useful applications in water and air filters, antibacterial purposes, polymer films in food packaging and much more.

The antibacterial properties of nanosilver have been successfully applied for a variety of health treatments including intravenous, urinary and tracheal catheters, endotracheal tubes, bone cements, oral cavity fillings, dietary supplements implant surgery and wound dressings.

The ability to nanosilver to prevent the spread of infection is due to release of silver (Ag⁺) ions from the surface of this material that is capable of destroying compounds that contain sulfur and phosphorus, such as the DNA and proteins present within bacteria, fungi or viruses.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have become increasingly popular in such items due to its ability to destroy pathogens in superior potency at lower concentrations as compared to when bulk silver quantities are applied.  

While AgNP have often been employed for the aforementioned medical purposes, everyday items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, clothing, household appliances and baby bottles have commercialized the use of nanosilver as a preventative and potent antibacterial agent.