Development of Direct Immobilization Technique of Ag Nanoparticles on Resin Substrates Imparting High Antibacterial and Antiviral Activities

A new method has been developed to impart the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles to resin substrates. A resin substrate immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate was irradiated with gamma ray or high energy electron beams. Silver nanoparticles were successfully immobilized on the resin surface directly by chemical reactions induced by ionizing radiation. It was experimentally confirmed that various resin materials, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polycarbonate, were applicable for this process. The effects of gamma ray or electron beam irradiation on resin substrates were almost negligible since the irradiation dose was equal or less than that used for sterilization. Despite the small amount of Ag loadings, the obtained samples showed high antibacterial and antiviral activities.

Automated summary

A new method has been developed to introduce the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles into resin substrates. By irradiating the resin substrate with gamma ray or high energy electron beams, silver nanoparticles were immobilized on the resin surface through chemical reactions induced by ionizing radiation. Various resin materials were found to be applicable for this process, and despite the low amount of silver loading, the obtained samples exhibited high antibacterial and antiviral activities.