Silver nanoparticles – a material of the future…?

Abstract The paper presents properties of nanomaterials and methods of their principal applications. Environmental aspects of using nanomaterials and reasons for their toxicity are also reviewed. The vast part of the paper is devoted to properties, application and market of silver nanoparticles. Their biocidal activity is clarified. However, silver nanoparticles may cause environmental pollution. Reasons for their toxicity have been also described.