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.

Keywords

• metal oxides
• metal–polymer nanocomposites
• silver
• zinc
• copper and gold
• nanoparticles