Antimicrobial Nanomaterials and Their Applications in Health Care

Nanoparticles are utilized commonly in antimicrobial coating in sensors and biomaterials to resist/prevent infection. Antimicrobial nanomaterials combine the technology of nanotechnology and microbiology and play vital role in healthcare applications. These materials are in nanosize and can kill microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, hence gaining importance in combating microbial infections. Different types of antimicrobial nanomaterials are there; however, metal-based nanomaterials (1–100 nm) are prominent in healthcare sector. Composite nanomaterials comprise multiple nanomaterials and are combined at nanoscale with specific properties that cannot be achieved in the individual materials. This chapter is a qualitative analysis of typical antimicrobial nanomaterials followed by the mechanism of antimicrobial action and its applications in healthcare sector.