Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) VS Silica Nanoparticles (SiNPs)

Nanotechnology has significantly advanced the field of hygiene, with nanoparticles being increasingly incorporated into consumer and medical products to provide antimicrobial protection and improve surface cleanliness.

Silver nanoparticles: from antibacterial use to global restrictions

Among various nanomaterials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been widely explored to offer applications such as surface disinfectants, antimicrobial coatings, textiles, personal care products and food packaging.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are renowned for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, attributed to their ability to release silver ions (Ag⁺). AgNPs exert their antimicrobial effects primarily by releasing silver ions (Ag⁺), which disrupt microbial cell membranes, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and interfere with DNA replication and cellular processes.

While silver nanoparticles offer antimicrobial benefits, their widespread use has raised concerns over human toxicity, environmental accumulation, and the risk of bacterial resistance. In response, several regulatory bodies have started imposing restrictions on their use; particularly in products intended for prolonged human contact, as outlined below:

Regulation (EU) 2024/858:

• European Union bans colloidal nanosilver in cosmetics, effective April 4, 2024.
• Market and sales bans phased in through 2025.

Omnibus Act VIII (Draft, May 2025):

• Proposes ban on nano-silver (1–100 nm) in additional consumer products.
• Implementation starts May 1, 2026.

Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS): 

• Concerns over toxicity and lack of safety data

Silica nanoparticles for antimicrobial delivery – from carriers to cleaners

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), though inherently non-antimicrobial, excel as biocompatible carriers for active antimicrobial agents like quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) or essential oils. Silica nanoparticles offer a safe and versatile platform for antimicrobial delivery due to these properties:

• Engineered morphologies, like pollen-like shapes, improve bacterial adhesion and targeted delivery (Ni et al., 2022). 
• Their mesoporous nature enhances drug stability and retention (Nuti et al., 2024), while their lower cytotoxicity compared to silver nanoparticles supports safer biomedical use (Quach & Abdel-Fattah, 2022). 
• Silica carriers may also help mitigate bacterial resistance linked to prolonged silver exposure (Gomaa et al., 2024).

Silica nanoparticles are stable, cost-effective, and biocompatible carriers, ideal for achieving long-lasting antimicrobial effectiveness. Their chemical resilience and modifiable surfaces support controlled release or extended action of disinfectants. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have robust structure that protects encapsulated antimicorobial agents from premature degradation and enhance bioavailability. Their surface can be functionalized to improve stability, prevent aggregation, and enhance biocompatibility.

Silica nanoparticles: the future of safer antimicrobial delivery

While silver nanoparticles are known for their strong antibacterial properties, growing concerns over toxicity and resistance challenge their long-term use. Silica nanoparticles present a safer, more versatile alternative—especially when functionalized with active agents for targeted effectiveness.

Biorism is embracing this shift through its Sil2U technology, harnessing engineered silica-based systems to deliver hygiene solutions that are not only potent but also compliant and future-ready.

The article is prepared by Biorism Scientist, Ms. Najihah (MSc, Applied Chemistry).

References:

https://health.ec.europa.eu

Marambio-Jones, Catalina, and Eric M. V. Hoek. “A Review of the Antibacterial Effects of Silver Nanomaterials and Potential Implications for Human Health and the Environment.” Journal of Nanoparticle Research, vol. 12, no. 5, 2010, pp. 1531–1551.

Narayan, R., et al. “Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: A Review on Synthesis and Recent Advances.” Pharmaceutics, vol. 10, no. 3, 2018, article 118.

Fang, L., et al. “The Application of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as a Drug Delivery Vehicle in Oral Disease Treatment.” Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, vol. 13, 2023, article 1124411.

Ni, Y., et al. “Co-Delivery of Nano-Silver and Vancomycin via Silica Nanopillens for Enhanced Antimicrobial Functions.” Antibiotics, 2022.

Nuti, S., et al. “Tailoring Mesoporous Silica-Coated Silver and Gold Nanoparticles and Polyethylene-Doped Films for Enhanced Antimicrobial Applications.” Nanomaterials, 2024.

Quach, A., and A. Abdel Fattah. “Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized Nanosilica Grown over Graphene Oxide for Enhancing Antimicrobial Effect.” Nanomaterials, 2022.

Gomaa, M., et al. “Instant and Synergistic Antimicrobial Coating of Silver Loaded with Silica Nanoparticles for Different Applications.” Surface and Interface Analysis, 2024.

Wang, Y., et al. “Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications.” Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, vol. 11, no. 2, 2015, pp. 313–327.

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