SEI Provides Silver Nano Particle for Antibacterial Uses

Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) provides nanometer-sized silver particle for antibacterial purposes as well as the original utilization for electronic materials. Silver nanoparticle is suitable for fine circuit printing with its high electric conductivity. SEI has supplied silver nanoparticle paste and ink for printed circuit boards and high-flexibility shield materials. The firm recently confirmed high antibacterial function of silver nanoparticle products and decided to sell the items such for home appliances and general printed materials.SEI developed silver particles with 10-20 nanometers diameter by reductive reaction of silver ion. Nanoparticles generally gather into micrometer-sized particles by the former methods. SEI applied its plating technology in order to keep each particle diameter equal and to avoid nanoparticle aggregation even with relatively low productive costs. The firm can manufacture nanoparticles of platinum, nickel, cobalt, palladium and other alloys other than silver.The firm recently evaluated antibacterial function of silver nanoparticle along JIS Z2801 test method. The result was that viable bacteria count decreased to less than a millionth in one square meter area with 2 milligrams silver nanoparticle liquid after 24 hours. Bactericidal effect was several thousands times of silver microparticle liquid.