Nanostructured Silver in Biological Applications
Keywords:
silver, nanostructures, polymers, antibacterial effects, biological applicationsAbstract
Biologically active metals, especially silver, are able to form nanostructured coatings of biocompatible polymers with the objective to enhance the functionality of polymeric material. This review refers to three types of strongly antibacterially active silver nanostructures (nanolayers, nanoislands and nanowires) suitable for biological applications, such as coatings which can prevent nosocomial infections. The mechanism of antibacterial effects of nanostructured Ag and its advantages, as compared with conventional antibiotics, are described. Subsequently, selected techniques for the preparation of these antibacterial coatings of biocompatible polymers are discussed. An emphasis is put on the possibility to increase the antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of the material by modifying the surface morphology of original polymer.