Advances in Antimicrobial Applications of Ag, Cu, and AgCu Nanoparticle-Doped Polymeric Composite Materials: A Comprehensive Review
Joana Galhano, José Luís Capelo, Júlia Lorenzo, Carlos Lodeiro, Elisabete Oliveira
Abstract
The growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has driven the search for alternative strategies to conventional antibiotics, with metallic nanoparticles (NPs), particularly silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and their bimetallic hybrids (AgCu), emerging as promising candidates. These nanoparticles exhibit strong, multifaceted antimicrobial activity and, when integrated into polymeric matrices, form composite materials that offer enhanced stability, controlled release, and broad applicability across healthcare, food safety, and industrial sectors. This review highlights the major synthetic routes for the production of Ag, Cu, and AgCu nanoparticles and discusses their integration into polymeric systems. Furthermore, the antimicrobial mechanisms of these nanomaterials are explored. Finally, the review emphasizes the potential of these nanocomposites to serve as next-generation antimicrobial surfaces, wound dressings, and functional materials, while addressing key synthesis challenges and proposing future research directions to optimize their performance and expand their applications.