Article

Ag Nanoparticles Obtained by Green Synthesis as Bactericidal Agents in Water-Based Paints

Sandra Gabriela Gomez de Saravia ORCID , Silvia Elena Rastelli ORCID , Erasmo Gamez Espinosa ORCID , Natalia Bellotti ORCID , Cecilia Deya ORCID , Marisa Viera ORCID
    Received: 14 March 2026 | Revised: 18 April 2026 | Accepted: 26 April 2026 | Published Online: 3 May 2026

    Abstract

    To control the proliferation of microorganisms and its associated risks, protective surface coatings are being developed. Among the most promising solutions is the incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into paint formulations. Traditional physical and chemical nanoparticles synthesis pose health and environmental risks. The concept of “green nanoparticles” refers to the synthesis of nanoparticles using environmentally benign routes. The aim of this work was to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a green synthesis technique, incorporate them into a polymeric coating, and evaluate their effectiveness as a potential hygienic paint against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. AgNPs were obtained by adding Schinopsis balansae (TS) or Caesalpinia spinosa (TC) tannin solution to an aqueous solution of AgNO3. The AgNPs were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy. A polymeric coating was formulated with nanoparticles. To evaluate the antibacterial coating efficiency, the modified ISO 22196 method was applied. The concentration and origin of tannin are factors that influence the size and polydispersity of the NPs; TS-AgNPs exhibited higher polydispersity than TC-AgNPs. Coatings incorporating TC-AgNPs exhibited the highest antibacterial efficacy, inhibiting all bacterial strains except Bacillus cereus. These results support the feasibility of integrating eco-friendly AgNPs into polymeric coatings for biodeterioration control in indoor environments.

    Keywords

    Antibacterial Activity, Biodeterioration, Coatings, Environmentally Friendly Synthesis, Hygienic Paint, Silver Nanoparticles

    References
    1. [1]Becerra, J., Zaderenko, A.P., Sayagués, M.J., et al., 2018. Synergy achieved in silver-TiO2 nanocomposites for the inhibition of biofouling on limestone. Building and Environment. 141, 80–90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.05.020
    2. [2]Nowicka-Krawczyk, P., Komar, M., Gutarowska, B., 2022. Towards understanding the link between the deterioration of building materials and the nature of aerophytic green algae. Science of The Total Environment. 802, 149856. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149856
    3. [3]Carrazana, E., Ruiz-Gil, T., Fujiyoshi, S., et al., 2023. Potential airborne human pathogens: A relevant inhabitant in built environments but not considered in indoor air quality standards. Science of The Total Environment. 901, 165879. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165879
    4. [4]Tang, C.-S., Wan, G.-H., 2013. Air Quality Monitoring of the Post-Operative Recovery Room and Locations Surrounding Operating Theaters in a Medical Center in Taiwan. PLoS ONE. 8(4), e61093. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061093
    5. [5]Madsen, A.M., Moslehi-Jenabian, S., Islam, M.Z., et al., 2018. Concentrations of Staphylococcus species in indoor air as associated with other bacteria, season, relative humidity, air change rate, and S. aureus-positive occupants. Environmental Research. 160, 282–291. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.10.001
    6. [6]Kaper, J.B., Nataro, J.P., Mobley, H.L.T., 2004. Pathogenic Escherichia coli. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2(2), 123–140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro818
    7. [7]Lyczak, J.B., Cannon, C.L., Pier, G.B., 2000. Establishment of infection: Lessons from a versatile opportunist. Microbes and Infection. 2(9), 1051–1060. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1286-4579(00)01259-4
    8. [8]Ganguli, P., Chaudhuri, S., 2021. Nanomaterials in antimicrobial paints and coatings to prevent biodegradation of man-made surfaces: A review. Materials Today: Proceedings. 45, 3769–3777. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.275
    9. [9]Li, Q., Mahendra, S., Lyon, D.Y., et al., 2008. Antimicrobial nanomaterials for water disinfection and microbial control: Potential applications and implications. Water Research. 42(18), 4591–4602. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2008.08.015
    10. [10]Bloch, K., Pardesi, K., Satriano, C., et al., 2021. Bacteriogenic Platinum Nanoparticles for Application in Nanomedicine. Frontiers in Chemistry. 9, 624344. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2021.624344
    11. [11]Nandihalli, N., Gregory, D.H., Mori, T., 2022. Energy‐Saving Pathways for Thermoelectric Nanomaterial Synthesis: Hydrothermal/Solvothermal, Microwave‐Assisted, Solution‐Based, and Powder Processing. Advanced Science. 9(25), 2106052. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202106052
    12. [12]Siddiqi, K.S., Husen, A., Rao, R.A.K., 2018. A review on biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and their biocidal properties. Journal of Nanobiotechnology. 16(1), 14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-018-0334-5
    13. [13]Elbagory, A.M., Ekpo, O.E., 2025. Middle Eastern plants as a source of bioactive metal nanoparticles: A critical review. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews. 18(1), 2507288. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2025.2507288
    14. [14]Castillo-Henríquez, L., Alfaro-Aguilar, K., Ugalde-Álvarez, J., et al., 2020. Green Synthesis of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles from Plant Extracts and Their Possible Applications as Antimicrobial Agents in the Agricultural Area. Nanomaterials. 10(9), 1763. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10091763
    15. [15]Ghosh, S., Gurav, S.P., Harke, A.N., et al., 2016. Dioscorea oppositifolia Mediated Synthesis of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles with Catalytic Activity. Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology. 7(5). DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7439.1000398
    16. [16]Jamdade, D.A., Rajpali, D., Joshi, K.A., et al., 2019. Gnidia glauca - and Plumbago zeylanica -Mediated Synthesis of Novel Copper Nanoparticles as Promising Antidiabetic Agents. Advances in Pharmacological Sciences. 2019, 1–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9080279
    17. [17]Ghatti, V., Chapi, S., Kumar Kumarswamy, Y., et al., 2025. Strontium-Decorated Ag2O Nanoparticles Obtained via Green Synthesis/Polyvinyl Alcohol Films for Wound Dressing Applications. Materials. 18(15), 3568. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153568
    18. [18]Pattadakal, S., Ghatti, V., Chapi, S., et al., 2025. Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposites Reinforced with CuO Nanoparticles Extracted by Ocimum sanctum: Evaluation of Wound-Healing Applications. Polymers. 17(3), 400. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030400
    19. [19]Mikhailova, E.O., 2024. Green Silver Nanoparticles: An Antibacterial Mechanism. Antibiotics. 14(1), 5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14010005
    20. [20]Lara, H.H., Ayala-Núñez, N.V., Ixtepan Turrent, L.D.C., et al., 2010. Bactericidal effect of silver nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant bacteria. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 26(4), 615–621. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-009-0211-3
    21. [21]Bekhradian, A., Karami, B., Rajabi, H.R., 2024. Green synthesis of silver/silver oxide nanostructures using the Malva sylvestris extract prior to simultaneous distillation extraction: synthesis, phytochemical and biological analysis. Preprint. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4861630/v1
    22. [22]Habeeb Rahuman, H.B., Dhandapani, R., Narayanan, S., et al., 2022. Medicinal plants mediated the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their biomedical applications. IET Nanobiotechnology. 16(4), 115–144. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1049/nbt2.12078
    23. [23]Yoon, K.-Y., Hoon Byeon, J., Park, J.-H., et al., 2007. Susceptibility constants of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis to silver and copper nanoparticles. Science of The Total Environment. 373(2–3), 572–575. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.11.007
    24. [24]Gámez-Espinosa, E., Deyá, C., Cabello, M., et al., 2023. Control of fungal deterioration of ceramic materials by green nanoadditives-based coatings. Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects. 36, 101069. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoso.2023.101069
    25. [25]Barberis, I.M., Mogni, V., Oakley, L., et al. 2012. Biology of Southern Species: Schinopsis balansae Engl. (Anacardiaceae). Kurtziana. 37(2), 59–86. (in Spanish)
    26. [26]Robledo Restrepo, S.M., Quintero, J., Higuita, J., et al., 2020. Caesalpinia spinosa (Molina) Kuntze: A New Promise for the Topical Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. 44(173), 915–936. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.1247 (in Spanish)
    27. [27]ASTM International, 2017. ASTM D1640-95: Standard Test Methods for Drying, Curing, or Film Formation of Organic Coatings at Room Temperature. ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA, USA. Available from: https://store.astm.org/d1640-95r99.html
    28. [28]Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación (IRAM), 2007. IRAM 1109-B15: Paints. General Test Methods. Part B15—Determination of Wet Scrub Resistance. IRAM: Buenos Aires, Argentina. (in Spanish)
    29. [29]International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 2011. ISO 22196:2011—Measurement of Antibacterial Activity on Plastics and Other Non-Porous Surfaces. ISO: Geneva, Switzerland. Available from: https://www.iso.org/standard/54431.html
    30. [30]Habib, S., Lehocky, M., Vesela, D., et al., 2019. Preparation of Progressive Antibacterial LDPE Surface via Active Biomolecule Deposition Approach. Polymers. 11(10), 1704. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11101704
    31. [31]Machotová, J., Kalendová, A., Voleská, M., et al., 2020. Waterborne hygienic coatings based on self-crosslinking acrylic latex with embedded inorganic nanoparticles: A comparison of nanostructured ZnO and MgO as antibacterial additives. Progress in Organic Coatings. 147, 105704. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2020.105704
    32. [32]Bellotti, N., Romagnoli, R., Quintero, C., et al., 2015. Nanoparticles as antifungal additives for indoor water borne paints. Progress in Organic Coatings. 86, 33–40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2015.03.006
    33. [33]Deyá, C., Bellotti, N., 2017. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles to control fungal infections in indoor environments. Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 8(2), 025005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2043-6254/aa6880
    34. [34]Ider, M., Abderrafi, K., Eddahbi, A., et al., 2017. Silver Metallic Nanoparticles with Surface Plasmon Resonance: Synthesis and Characterizations. Journal of Cluster Science. 28(3), 1051–1069. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-016-1080-1
    35. [35]Guo, J., Wu, H., Liao, X., et al., 2011. Facile Synthesis of Size-Controlled Silver Nanoparticles Using Plant Tannin Grafted Collagen Fiber As Reductant and Stabilizer for Microwave Absorption Application in the Whole Ku Band. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. 115(48), 23688–23694. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jp207194a
    36. [36]Nandihalli, N., Mori, T., Kleinke, H., 2018. Effect of addition of SiC and Al2O3 refractories on Kapitza resistance of antimonide-telluride. AIP Advances. 8(9), 095009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5034520
    37. [37]Kourmouli, A., Valenti, M., Van Rijn, E., et al., 2018. Can disc diffusion susceptibility tests assess the antimicrobial activity of engineered nanoparticles? Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 20(3), 62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-018-4152-3
    38. [38]Rosman, N.S.R., Harun, N.A., Idris, I., et al., 2020. Eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) fabricated by green synthesis using the crude extract of marine polychaete, Marphysa moribidii: Biosynthesis, characterisation, and antibacterial applications. Heliyon. 6(11), e05462. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05462
    39. [39]Rajasekharreddy, P., Usha Rani, P., Sreedhar, B., 2010. Qualitative assessment of silver and gold nanoparticle synthesis in various plants: A photobiological approach. Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 12(5), 1711–1721. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-010-9894-5
    40. [40]Kannan, M., Rajarathinam, K., Venkatesan, S., et al., 2017. Silver Iodide Nanoparticles as an Antibiofilm Agent—A Case Study on Gram-Negative Biofilm-Forming Bacteria. In Nanostructures for Antimicrobial Therapy. Elsevier: London, UK. pp. 435–456. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-46152-8.00019-6
    Back to top