Antibacterial Properties of Precious Metal-Modified Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: A Review

Abstract

In recent years, zinc oxide nanomaterials have emerged as highly promising new antibacterial materials. However, there is a lack of summary articles on the surface modification of their precious metals. This article summarizes the properties and applications of zinc oxide nanomaterials and their loading of precious metals, aiming to provide a reference for subsequent research on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with precious metal surface modification. This article summarizes the shortcomings of pure zinc oxide nanomaterials in terms of antibacterial properties, such as insufficient broad-spectrum antibacterial performance and excessive surface energy of the material. It also generalizes the action principles and application scenarios of ZnO NPs modified with different precious metals (Pt, Au, Pd, Ag). Although the antibacterial performance of surface-modified ZnO NPs has been comprehensively enhanced, there are still issues such as unknown safety and stability. However, concerns remain regarding potential ion leaching into biological systems, the unclear long-term environmental fate of these nanoparticles, and the possibility of chronic toxicity under prolonged exposure.