Metal–Polymer Nanocomposites: A Promising Approach to Antibacterial Materials

Abstract

There has been a new approach in the development of antibacterials in order to enhance the antibacterial potential. The nanoparticles are tagged on to the surface of other metals or metal oxides and polymers to achieve nanocomposites. These have shown significant antibacterial properties when compared to nanoparticles. In this article we explore the antibacterial potentials of metal-based and metal–polymer-based nanocomposites, various techniques which are involved in the synthesis of the metal–polymer, nanocomposites, mechanisms of action, and their advantages, disadvantages, and applications.

Dual functionalized copper nanoparticles for thermoplastics with improved processing and mechanical properties and superior antibacterial performance

“…Fig. 1c sketches out the potential antibacterial mechanism of Cu-AC, which encompasses multiple modes of action: 38–40 (1) the interaction between copper and bacterial membranes, either through physical or chemical means, leads to the destruction of these membranes; (2) copper nanoparticles generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via Fenton-like reactions, which result in enzymatic and non-enzymatic mediated oxidative damage, including lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and DNA damage; and (3) copper ions are released from the nanoparticles to disrupt bacterial membranes and penetrate them, inducing oxidative stress responses.…”

Synthesis, Characterization and antibacterial study of Ag-loaded TiO 2 Electrospun nanofibers: Mechanistic insights of nanofibers interacting with bacteria

“…This combination of physical and chemical damage synergistically enhances the antibacterial potential of nanomaterials [17], [32]. The Ag NPs tend to attach on the bacterial membrane by electrostatic interaction that contribute to several lethal reactions.…”

“…Therefore, research and studies on the e cacy of TiO 2 -Ag nanocomposite on inhibiting or destroying the bacteria have become a subject of great scienti c interest. The antibacterial effectiveness of silver is linked with the concentration of Ag atoms in the electrospun solution [17], [10].…”

Exploring nanocomposites for controlling infectious microorganisms: charting the path forward in antimicrobial strategies

“…Preventing undesirable particle aggregation during synthesis is a significant challenge due to high surface energy and susceptibility to oxidation, which can compromise the nanocomposites’ antibacterial properties. Achieving a uniform redispersion of nanoparticles is a complex task, carrying the risk of degradation and functional loss ( Ghazzy et al, 2023 ). Although AgNPs have been long known for their antibacterial potency against various pathogens and non-cytotoxic to few cell lines, they have been identified to be toxic to human bronchial epithelial cells, HUVECs, red blood cells, macrophages, liver cells.…”