For centuries, people have used silver for its antibacterial qualities. For example, ancient Greeks cooked in silver cookware and ate with silver spoons. Generally, making objects from silver or coating them in silver can be expensive. However, scientists have developed ways to impregnate other materials with silver nanoparticles to give anything made from the materials an antimicrobial property.
Nanoparticles are particles that measure less than 100 nanometers. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. According to HWNano, nanoparticles usually have better or different qualities than the bulk material of the same element. In the case of silver, the antibacterial effect is greatly enhanced, and, because of their tiny size, nanoparticles have immense surface area relative to volume. Therefore, miniscule amounts of silver nanoparticles can lend antimicrobial effects to hundreds of square meters of its host material.
Function
Bacteria, viruses and fungi all depend on an enzyme to metabolize oxygen to live. Silver interferes with the effectiveness of the enzyme in each case and disables the uptake of oxygen, thereby killing the microbe. This process has the added benefit of not harming humans. In addition, no research has discovered any bacteria able to develop an immunity to silver as they often do with antibiotics. Furthermore, silver, a naturally occurring element, is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, does not accumulate in the body to cause harm and is considered safe for the environment.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi all depend on an enzyme to metabolize oxygen to live. Silver interferes with the effectiveness of the enzyme in each case and disables the uptake of oxygen, thereby killing the microbe. This process has the added benefit of not harming humans. In addition, no research has discovered any bacteria able to develop an immunity to silver as they often do with antibiotics. Furthermore, silver, a naturally occurring element, is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, does not accumulate in the body to cause harm and is considered safe for the environment.
Nano silver antibacterial mechanism mainly has the following several aspects:
1. the effective ingredients of antibacterial fiber, effect on the cell membrane proteins, which can directly destroy bacteria cell membrane, and cause cell contents leaking. adsorption silver nanoparticles on cell membrane, blocking bacteria and other microorganisms for growth essential nutrients absorption such as amino acid, uracil, thereby inhibit its growth.
2. antibacterial fabrics surface releases a certain wavelength range of far infrared ray, can inhibit the activity of the bacteria, killing bacteria.
3. surface catalytic effect of silver nanoparticles, affect the normal metabolism of bacteria and normal breeding, killing bacteria.
The technology of nano silver is being used in a variety of applications for its disinfecting properties. In small doses that are safe to humans, nano silver can be added to drinking water to kill harmful bacteria quickly and effectively. It is also being woven into clothing to produce garments, footwear and sporting gear with antimicrobial properties.
Water Treatment
Nano silver is used as a disinfectant in drinking water. Tests have shown that using silver at 10 parts per billion can kill nearly all fecal coliform bacteria within 24 hours. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, water is safe to drink at all levels of silver below 100 parts per billion. American soft drink bottles are also using nano silver to sterilize water, being more cost favorable than other methods.
Antimicrobial Clothing
Nano silver is also used to create special antimicrobial clothing. It is accomplished by a special process in which silver ions are fused with nylon and woven into a variety of fabrics. This creates clothing that inhibits the growth of bacteria, which can be useful for people with compromised immune systems. Noble Fiber Technologies is the company that came up with patent to make this technology possible.
Sports Gear
A U.S. manufacturer of sports equipment called Spyder Gear uses nano silver in its jerseys to prevent bacteria and fungus growth during extended activities, such as cross country cycling and marathons. Marmot weaves nano silver into its sleeping bags and cold weather jackets to prevent fungus and bacteria growth. Another company that supplies products to diabetics sews the silver nano fibers into shoes to make footwear that discourages conditions that can lead to serious infections.
Antiseptic
Nano silver technology is increasingly being considered for its use as an antiseptic in sterilizing surfaces. Coating or impregnating areas that people often come in contact with is more effective at discouraging pathogens and the spread of disease than regular household products, which must be reapplied continually. It is particularly being evaluated for use in hospitals, which can be breeding grounds for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Nano silver has been tested to be successful against pathogens that cause many major diseases.
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