Silver News

Polypropylene is one of the most widely used synthetic fibers in the textile industry, and Korean scientists have shown they can produce it imbedded with bacteria-fighting silver particles.

Prof. Sung H. Jeong and his graduate student Sang Y. Yeo from Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea, were able to place nanoparticles of silver into the fiber so they were evenly distributed for maximum antibacterial effect. Interestingly, they discovered that silver in the core section had no antibacterial effect, but those in the sheath section showed excellent germ fighting activity.

This process is significant because polypropylene fiber is one of the most widely used synthetic fibers, because it is cheaper and stronger than other synthetic textiles.

Reporting in the journal Polymer International, the scientists said that the silver-imbedded fiber can be used in many applications. They already have produced bacteria-fighting socks, rugs, napkins and surgical masks using the silver nanoparticles.

Jeong and Yeo are not the first in Korea to use silver nanoparticles for their bacteria-fighting properties. Korean cosmetics company Amore Pacific employs nanoparticles of silver in its underarm deodorants.

Silver News - Third Quarter 2003