ZnO Nanomaterials: Current Advancements in Antibacterial Mechanisms and Applications

• Published in: Frontiers in chemistry Vol. 8; p. 580
• Main Authors: Jiang, Shengjie, Lin, Kaili, Cai, Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 21.07.2020
• Subjects: antibacterial activity; applications; Chemistry; mechanism; review; ZnO nanomaterials
• ISSN: 2296-2646; 2296-2646
• DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00580

The prevalence of various diseases caused by bacteria has been increasing, and some traditional antibiotics have been reported to have varying degrees of resistance. ZnO nanomaterials (ZnO-NMs), due to their excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, lasting antibacterial effects, and excellent biocompatibility, have quickly become the research focus of new antibacterial agents. While the narrow light response range of ZnO-NMs has limited the antibacterial performance to some extent and modifying it by various means to improve its response under visible light, such as doping metal/non-metal atoms, depositing noble metals and coupling carbon materials, which is a new research hotspot. Herein, the current mainstream claims about the antibacterial mechanisms and applications of ZnO-NMs are reviewed.The prevalence of various diseases caused by bacteria has been increasing, and some traditional antibiotics have been reported to have varying degrees of resistance. ZnO nanomaterials (ZnO-NMs), due to their excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, lasting antibacterial effects, and excellent biocompatibility, have quickly become the research focus of new antibacterial agents. While the narrow light response range of ZnO-NMs has limited the antibacterial performance to some extent and modifying it by various means to improve its response under visible light, such as doping metal/non-metal atoms, depositing noble metals and coupling carbon materials, which is a new research hotspot. Herein, the current mainstream claims about the antibacterial mechanisms and applications of ZnO-NMs are reviewed.