Surface chemistry-dependent antiviral activity of silver nanoparticles

Abstract The toxicity towards viruses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been reported to be dependent on several factors such as particle concentration, size, and shape. Although these may indeed contribute the AgNPs, results presented in this work demonstrate that surface chemistry especially charge is a crucial factor governing their antiviral activity. Here, investigated influence capping agents representing various charges ranging from negative positive. These AgNPs were capped with citrate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) (branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI). We show exhibited charge-dependent MS2 bacteriophages. Among under investigation, BPEI (Ag/BPEI) highest reduction resulting ?6 log 10 -units reductions, followed by 4–5 reductions PVP PEG capping’s 3–4 MAA citrate cappings. Bare mere 1–2 reduction. Electrostatic interaction between positively charged BPEI-coating negatively virus played significant role bringing closer toxic ions (Ag + ). Further obtained TEM showed Ag/BPEI could directly damage structure cationic agents’ observed synergy can lead much lower more efficient dosing for applications.