| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 174427 | Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering | 2016 | 7 Pages |
•We review the uses and strategies for silver incorporation in montmorillonite.•Silver ions incorporated in MMT are a promissory antibacterial material.•To maintain the antibacterial activity over time is still a challenge.•Adequate functionalization of the clay can promote the silver ions adsorption.
Herein, we review the main uses of montmorillonite (MMT) and the strategies for silver incorporation in this clay. The MMT is susceptible to being chemically modified by cationic exchange reactions as well as reactions with silanizing agents. Silver incorporation in MMT plays an important role due to the possibilities of creating an antibacterial material with slow release of silver species in order to obtain a prolonged antibacterial activity. However, additional studies have to be done for understanding the chemical nature of those silver species, along with its biological activity and the mechanisms of silver releases over time. Even though the antibacterial activity has been reported for this material, its potential for application depends on how to overcome the aforementioned issues and how the antibacterial activity could be effectively transferred to complex matrices like polymers.
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