Antimicrobial Properties of Semiconductive Oxide Nanoparticles. From fundamental to Application

Abstract

A problem of modern society is the spread of diseases worldwide. Infection control and maintaining a high level of hygiene by applying antimicrobial coatings (including medical products, packaging materials, membrane filter/water treatment or filters in air conditioning) are of the greatest importance. Hospitals, pharmaceutical production, food factories must be thoroughly disinfected in order to destroy pathogenic microbes. Microbial contamination of water is a major threat to public health. With the emergence of organisms resistant to many antimicrobial agents there is an increased demand for improved disinfection methods. Recently, the confluence of nanotechnology and biology has led to metals and metal oxides under the form of nanoparticles as potential antimicrobial agents. Nanoparticles have unique and well defined physical and chemical properties which can be manipulated suitably for desired applications. The applications of nanoparticles as antimicrobials is gaining relevance in prophylaxis and therapeutics, in medical devices, food industry and textile fabrics. This work focuses on the properties of ZnO nanoparticles doped with different concentrations of silver. The mechanism of action of nanoparticles as bactericidal will be highlighted in this study. Specific applications of the investigated nanoparticles are presented.