SILVER NANOPARTICLES

Ben VanDyke

MARCH 24, 2016

SLCC
Intro to Nanotechnology: Wesley Sanders

Topic: Silver Nano Particles

Silver Nanoparticles - Nano scale particles of silver (Ag) with in the measurement from 1 to 100
nanometers. Sigma-Aldrich a commercial material science company defines and expounds on the
utilities of silver nanoparticles as follows:
Silver nanoparticles have unique optical, electrical, and thermal properties and are being
incorporated into products that range from photovoltaics to biological and chemical sensors.
Examples include conductive inks, pastes and fillers which utilize silver nanoparticles for their
high electrical conductivity, stability, and low sintering temperatures. Additional applications
include molecular diagnostics and photonic devices, which take advantage of the novel optical
properties of these nanomaterials.

Silver nanoparticles are synthesized by the reduction of aqueous silver ions. Silver nitrate goes
through a chemical reduction (a process were the silver ions gain or accept electrons). When the silver
atoms gain electrons the atoms combine forming the nanoparticles of silver. As the size of the nano
particles increase the optical, electrical, and thermal as mentioned by Sigma-Aldrich change. For
instance the synthesis involves heat and time. As constant heat is applied the nanoparticles increase in
size. This increase changes the light color that it reflects. The aqueous solution begins transparent, or
with no color, when over time the solution slowly turns a yellow color. When the solution has a light
yellow color the silver nanoparticles are significantly small. As the color darkens the silver nanoparticles
increase in size reflecting a
different wavelength. In the
figure 3 we see the silver
nanoparticles absorb
wavelengths of 400 to 500 nm.

History
In history the use of silver nanoparticles can be found through the last few hundreds of years. In
medieval times when big cathedrals were being made with large stained glass windows, artisans
probably unknowingly used silver nanoparticles to produce a think yellow color with in the glass. The
unique properties in silver nanoparticles allowed or caused the color to never fade or bleach out.
Throughout the years the stained glass has retained its color and still looks as vibrant as it was when it
was originally made.
Silver nanoparticles as we know them were discovered more than a hundred years. Scientist
M.C. Lea synthesized a citrate-stabilized silver colloid back in 1889. Then under a different name these
nanoparticles where referred to as Collargol which has been manufactured for commercial use since
1897. Some of the examples of their uses include pigments, photographic, wound treatment,
conductive/antistatic composites, and catalysts. There is evidence that in 1902 silver nanoparticles were
stabilized using proteins.
In the beginning of the 1900s doctors used colloidal silver because of its natural antimicrobial
properties. It was widely used in the medical field with some variations, some were used as over-thecounter medications, as well as for treatment of bacterial infections such as syphilis.
The study of silver nanoparticles is a big deal because of its versatility. The unique properties
allow for an incredible range of applications. Today scientists have studied and created processes that
generate enough supply to involve silver nanoparticles in any application you can think of. From the
clothing industry to the medical field. The applications are enveloped into multiple facets of the benefit
and comfort to our lives.

3 Fundamental Concepts

Chemistry Antimicrobial Ionic properties

Physics light
Biology silver nanoparticle size side-effects

Ionic properties - Antimicrobial

Silver has been known as an antimicrobial for many generations. With that in mind we
consider the increased use of silver in everyday products from the introduction of silver nanoparticles.
Although the nanoparticles themselves do not increase the antimicrobial properties they do provide a
transporting agent to apply the antimicrobial to different products. Pedro J.J. Alverez, chairman of Rices
Civil and Environmental Engineering Department said, Silver nanoparticles are less susceptible to being
intercepted and a more effective delivery mechanism. The fact is that silver ions are the killing agent to
disease-causing bacteria. The silver ions are released when the silver nanoparticles are oxidized. Which
have catastrophic results to bacteria. Currently silver nanoparticles are used in many different
commercial products, from clothing, food containers, cosmetics, and cleaning materials among many
more. The silver nanoparticles are used to provide the silver ions a place from which they can be
oxidized. Scientist found that silver nanoparticles do not contribute to antimicrobial properties by
controlling the amount of oxygen. In an anaerobic chamber they removed the oxygen where silver
nanoparticles where present with E. coli. When oxygen is abundant the bacterial is eliminated. The
interesting thing is that the scientists found that when small doses of silver ions and less oxygen, E. coli
growth is stimulated and unable to kill. Size, shape, and the way the silver nanoparticles are attached to
the product also effect the antimicrobial properties. The rate that the silver ions dissolute is a key part
the toxicity of silver ions.

Physics - light
Silver nanoparticles when embedded in a plastic polymer and attached to glass produce
a transparent system. As suggested the optical properties have interesting characteristics that allow
light to be reflected. Currently MIT has produced a system that does just that. The nanoparticles are
around 60 nanometers and when embedded into the plastic and attached to the glass will reflect the
blue light while the other spectrum light passes through. The difference between silver nanoparticle
embedded polymer/glass system compared to the current transparent holographic technology is the
silver nanoparticles will reflect the light to be seen at any angle. The current technology can only be
seen at a specific angle. Therefore, the silver nanotech has a large advantage. The image similar to
those holographic projection screens used in the move Iron Man will one day be able to reflect a full
color spectrum, namely red, green and blue.
Biology silver nanoparticle size side-effects
In the biological world there is some speculation that the size and antimicrobial
properties of silver nanoparticles may be detrimental to human and animal life. Researcher at UCLA
have concluded that the size of the nanoparticle has a large effect on life. They found that smaller
nanoparticles of silver are more likely to enter into a fishs body and remain inside that body for long
periods of time, compared to larger silver nanoparticles and a fluid solution of silver nitrate. This may
cause adverse effects on the fish. The researchers explain how zebrafish were affected in different ways
when differing sizes of silver nanoparticles were introduced into their environment. First silver
nanoparticles were trapped in the fishs gills and intestines. The results show that silver nanoparticles
around 20 nanometers remained trapped in the gills and intestines in larger amounts than silver
nanoparticles of 110 nanometers. The fishs organs were able to absorb the smaller silver nanoparticles
faster than the larger, thus the smaller particles entered deeper into the organism and stayed longer.

Benefits to Human Life Practical Applications

Cosmetics
Among the effects of antimicrobial properties one sure use is in cosmetics. Many
products have come because of the powerful and harmless effects of silver nanoparticles. One is facial
soap. Cyclic Nano Silver Facial cleanser claims that the silver ions can cleans in ways that regular cleaning
creams cannot. This facial soap deeply cleans pores from dirt oil, bacteria and any fungi that might be
microscopically present. Scientist in Iran studied the effects of antibacterial efficacy and the amount
needed to kill bacteria. They found that the concentration of silver was crucial with the consideration of
the strain of bacterium targeted. Its interesting to note that adapting to the strain of bacterium is so
necessary to the amount of silver, (bacterium have different cell wall structures and multiple layers thus
more silver ions are needed to kill the bacterium). With enough concentration the bacteria was
controlled and the amount of bacterium decreased.
Potential Health risks
Along the many benefits of silver nanoparticles come the studies and concerns of the
environmental and human health risks. Its worth mentioning the many articles that accompanied
articles that I cited. The health risks revolved around the notion that nanoparticles are abundant in
commercial products from antimicrobial embedded socks and other clothing, as well as products that
have silver nanoparticles attached to the side walls drinking containers. In each example the concern is
that our water supply will be saturated with silver nanoparticles. Therefore entering the ecosystems and
habitats of many animals. Scientists in the Czech Republic explained that toxic effects. They said that the
too much exposure to the silver nanoparticles can lead to discoloration of the skin and the eyes. Along
with potential to damage the liver, kidney, respiratory system and intestinal tract.
Silver nanoparticles have many health benefits as well as potential health risks.

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