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Updated: Aug 9, 2025
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
Published on: April 21, 2023
Antimicrobial Polymeric Surfaces Using Embedded Silver Nanoparticles
Pooja Sharma1,2, Luisa Fialho3,4, Nuno Miguel Figueiredo1
1CEMMPRE, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract:
Pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) can survive up to a few days on surfaces and can propagate through surfaces in high percentages, and thus, these surfaces turn into a primary source of pathogen transmission. To prevent and mitigate pathogen transmission, antimicrobial surfaces seem to be a promising option that can be prepared by using resilient, mass-produced polymers with partly embedded antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) with controlled size. In the present study, a 6 nm thick Ag nanolayer was sputter deposited on polycarbonate (PC) substrate and then thermally annealed, in a first step at 120 °C (temperature below Tg) for two hours, for promoting NP diffusion and growth, and in a second step at 180 °C (temperature above Tg) for 22 h, for promoting thermal embedding of the NPs into the polymer surface. The variation in the height of NPs on the polymer surface with thermal annealing confirms the embedding of NPs. It was shown that the incorporation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) had a great impact on the antibacterial capacity, as the Ag NP-embedded polymer surface presented an inhibition effect on the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The tested surface-engineering process of incorporating antimicrobial Ag NPs in a polymer surface is both cost-effective and highly scalable.
Insights
Antimicrobial surfaces embedding silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) show significant potential in preventing pathogen transmission. This cost-effective, scalable method enhances polymer surfaces, inhibiting bacterial growth on contact.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Pathogens transmit diseases via contaminated surfaces, necessitating effective antimicrobial solutions.
- Antimicrobial surfaces offer a promising strategy to mitigate pathogen spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate antimicrobial polymer surfaces embedded with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs).
- To assess the antibacterial efficacy of Ag NP-embedded polycarbonate (PC) against common bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Sputter deposition of a silver nanolayer onto a polycarbonate (PC) substrate.
- Two-step thermal annealing process to promote Ag NP diffusion, growth, and surface embedding.
- Evaluation of antibacterial capacity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Main Results:
- Successful embedding of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into the PC surface confirmed by height variation after annealing.
- Ag NP-embedded PC surfaces demonstrated significant inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial growth.
- The surface engineering process proved to be cost-effective and highly scalable.
Conclusions:
- Embedding antimicrobial Ag NPs into polymer surfaces is an effective strategy to create self-disinfecting materials.
- This method offers a scalable and economical approach to reduce pathogen transmission from surfaces.
- The developed antimicrobial surfaces hold potential for widespread application in public health and hygiene.
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