Nanosilver is a powerful biocidal, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agent, all markets that have grown significantly over the last decade.
The rapid development of nanosilver products is based on this material’s unique physical properties. Nanosilver is the nanoform of silver characterized by being spherical particles of a size ranging from 1-250 nanometres (nm). It is commercialized as powder, flakes, grains, ingots, etc., and is sold in suspension (in water, alcohol or surfactant) and as a dry powder. Nanosilver is furthermore available in preparations (e.g. as a coating agent, in alloys, etc.) and in articles (electrodomestic appliances, in textiles, in food packages, etc.).
Environmental and public pressure organizations have targeted nanosilver as a key area in their campaign against the use of new nanomaterials. Nanosilver is in fact, despite its scale, not a new material and has been regulated and used safely for decades. Nanoscale silver has long been registered under biocide regulations, with over 50% of all EPA registered silver products based on nanoscale silver.
Due to the unique properties of silver at the nanoscale it is widely used in a number of consumer and medical products, mainly taking advantage of its high anti-microbial activity. Applications currently on the market include wound dressings, personal care products, powdered colours, varnish, textile, paper, interior and exterior paints, printing colours, water and air purification, dietary supplements, polymer-based products and foils for antibacterial protection such as washing machines and medical device coatings (implants and catheters). There are several hundred consumer and industrial products currently available that include nanoscale silver. Products on the markets include Acticoat Wound Care with Nanocrystalline Silver and I-Flow SilverSoaker Nanosilver Catheters. However these materials are currently viewed as representing one of the largest potential sources of public exposure to nanomaterials and the potential detrimental effects thereof.
