A Study on the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Oregano Extract and Antibacterial Coating for Eyeglass Frames

Purpose: In this study, to produce antibacterial eyeglass frames, silver nanoparticles, an antibacterial material, were synthesized in green through a biological synthesis method, and the antibacterial properties were investigated by coating the eyeglass frame materials. Methods: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using oregano extract as a reducing agent and stabilizer. The characteristics of the synthesized samples were analyzed using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope SEM, and energy dispersive spectroscopy EDS measuring instrument, and the antibacterial properties were evaluated using the paper disk diffusion method. The synthesized silver nanocolloids were coated on a plastic eyeglass frame material (Ultem [PEI]) and metal eyeglass frame materials (titanium and stainless-steel). The coating properties and antibacterial properties were evaluated. Results: The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of the green synthesized sample appeared in the characteristic absorption wavelength band of the silver nanoparticles, and the formation of the silver nanoparticles was confirmed through SEM and EDS. Additionally, the synthesized sample showed antibacterial activity against three types of bacteria and two types of fungi, confirming the possibility of use as an antibacterial material. As a result of confirming the antibacterial properties of the coating film after coating it on the spectacle frame material substrate, it showed a reduced rate of bacteria compared to the control group for Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Bacillus subtilis . Conclusions: Silver nanocolloids synthesized using oregano extract showed antibacterial activity against bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, as a result of coating the substrate of the eyeglass frame materials, the antibacterial activity of the coating film was confirmed, confirming the possibility of manufacturing an antibacterial functional eyeglass frame.