A Novel Biocidal Nanocomposite: Spherical Silica with Silver Ions Anchored at the Surface

Abstract

This article is devoted to a novel class of antimicrobial agents: nanocomposites composed of spherical silica and silver ions located at the silica’s surface with the assumed distribution. Such materials are in high demand due to the increasing threat from bacterial strains that are becoming resistant to currently known antibiotics. In particular, we focus on materials that make it possible to limit the growth of bacterial colonies on a variety of tactile surfaces. In this paper, we present a method for preparing a silica-based nanocomposite containing silver ions and the analysis of their antimicrobial properties. Our research revealed that the presence of tested nanocomposite induces very high oxidative stress in the bacteria cell, damaging and modifying bacterial DNA, creating oxidized guanines, cytosines, or adenines, which causes its very rapid destruction, leading to cell death.