Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanocrystals Encapsulated in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Abstract

Silver nanocrystals encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles are prepared by coating hydrophobic silver nanocrystals with amphiphilic surfactants and growing mesostructured silica around the materials. The nanoparticles can be used as antimicrobial agents for both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria through oxidative dissolution of the silver nanocrystals. The surface characteristics of the silica exterior affect the binding to the bacteria and the cytotoxicity. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.