Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Ions as Potential Antibacterial Agents

Bacteria and superbugs have become more resistant to several antibiotics. Continuous and overuse of such antibiotics led to outbreaks of superbugs in both hospitals and communities. In recent decades, silver was used in medical treatment such as burns, wounds and bacterial infections. Silver metallic, silver nitrate and silver sulfadiazine were utilized for this treatment. Nowadays, silver nanoparticles and silver ions are effectively used as antibacterial agents in the medical field in the form of nanoparticles and ions, where silver ions proved an effective antimicrobial against active bacteria, viruses, and fungi than silver nanoparticles Ag NPs. However, modified or functionalized silver NPs are extremely active to kill bacteria than pure Ag NPs. Silver nanoparticle's size, shape, and concentration play an important role in their antimicrobial activities.