Ultradilute Ag-aquasols with extraordinary bactericidal properties:: role of the system Ag-O-H2O

We first establish the literature on the use of ultradilute aquasols as extraordinary, powerful, bactericidal inorganic agents equal to most commercial antibiotics. These findings provide the rationale for a major role for inorganic materials scientists to contribute the insights unique to their field for new, safer health vectors. The focus of this preliminary paper is exclusively on the materials science of 2-phase stable sols at ultradilute concentrations near 1 at.-ppm. We analyze the solid and liquid phases for the first time in detail using standard materials science analysis tools. The solid phase is analyzed using DTA, TGA, XRD, SEM, and TEM, and the liquid water phase is analyzed using FTIR, UV-VIS, and Raman spectroscopy. There are at least three crystalline phases in the system Ag-O: Ag, Ag2O, and Ag4O4, which are stable in air. In an aqueous environment between 0 and 100 degrees C there is evidence that various combinations of metal, oxides, and possible 'oxy-hydroxide' complexes exist. Similarly, data from Raman and UV-VIS spectroscopy show definite changes in the structure of the water host. These results, in a preliminary way, are parallel to the many empirical observations made by physicians for the last 100 years on the use of metallic silver and water in various combinations for human health.