The influence of particle size and AgNO3 concentration in the ionic exchange process on the fungicidal action of antimicrobial glass

Antimicrobial materials have long been used as an effective means of reducing the risks posed to humans by fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms. These materials are essential in environments where cleanliness, comfort and hygiene are the predominate concerns. This work presents preliminary results for the development of a fungicidal vitreous material that is produced by the incorporation of a silver ionic specimen through ionic exchange reactions. Silver ions were incorporated into powdered glass via ionic exchange in an ionic medium containing silver species with different concentrations of AgNO3. The fungicidal efficiency of the samples was studied as a function of the AgNO3 concentration and the particle size of the glass using the agar diffusion test for the microbiological analysis of the fungus species Candida albicans. The samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental results showed that the fungicidal effect was dependent on the AgNO3 concentration in the ionic exchange medium but was not dependent on the particle size of the glass.

► The fungicidal powder glass presents high potential for application as polymeric additive and others application in the medical area.
► The fungicidal effect was dependent on AgNO3 concentration, but was not dependent on the particle size of the glass.
► The XRD results show that the ionic exchange process promotes the formation of silver crystalline phases with cubic cells.