The key difference between nano silver and colloidal silver is that the nano silver refers to nanoparticles of silver having the particle size between 1 and 100 nm whereas colloidal silver refers to silver particles having the particle size higher than 100 nm suspended in a liquid.
The terms nano silver and colloidal silver are used to name different sizes of silver particles we use for different purposes. Nano silver particles have their dimensions between 1 and 100 nm while the size of colloidal silver particles is larger than that.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Nano Silver
3. What is Colloidal Silver
4. Side by Side Comparison – Nano Silver vs Colloidal Silver in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Nano Silver
The term nano silver refers to the silver nano particles that have dimensions between 1 to 100 nm. Although we call it silver, sometimes these nano silver particles occur in the form of silver oxide. It is due to the large ratio between surface and bulk silver atoms. Moreover, there are different shapes of silver nano particles, depending on their application. Most commonly, the spherical shape, diamond shape, octagonal shape, and thin sheet structure of nano silver are used.
The extremely large surface area compared to the particle volume allows the nano silver particles to combine with many ligands. Therefore, we can use nano silver for catalysis that involves adsorbing the reactant species to the particle surface. Furthermore, nano silver particles are important in biological research studies and the production of consumer goods. However, these nanoparticles can cause toxic effects on human health.
Figure 01: Nano Particles of Silver
The most common method of synthesis for nanoparticles of silver comes under wet chemistry. In this process, the particles undergo nucleation within a solution. This type of nucleation occurs when nano silver particles convert into colloidal silver particles in the presence of a reducing agent.
What is Colloidal Silver?
Colloidal silver is a suspension of silver particles in a liquid. These silver particles have dimensions higher than 100 nm. Usually, colloidal silver is marketed as dietary supplements administrated orally. However, colloidal silver comes in the form of injections or to be applied on the skin, depending on the application.
According to manufacturers, colloidal silver is important in boosting the immune system, fighting bacteria and viruses, treating cancer, treating eye ailments, etc. However, colloidal silver can be toxic to the human body and can cause discolouration of the skin, eye, organs, nails, and gums. Therefore, it is now considered that colloidal silver is an alternative medicine that is not much effective or safe.
What is the Difference Between Nano Silver and Colloidal Silver?
The terms nanosilver and colloidal silver are used to name different sizes of silver particles that we use for different purposes. The key difference between nano sliver and colloidal silver is that nanosilver refers to the nanoparticles of silver having the particle size between 1 and 100 nm whereas colloidal silver refers to silver particles having the particle size higher than 100 nm suspended in a liquid.
Below infographic summarizes the difference between nano sliver and colloidal silver.
Summary – Nano Silver vs Colloidal Silver
The terms nano silver and colloidal silver are used to name different sizes of silver particles that we use for different purposes. The key difference between nano sliver and colloidal silver is that nano silver refers to the nanoparticles of silver having the particle size between 1 and 100 nm whereas colloidal silver refers to the silver particles having the particle size higher than 100 nm suspended in a liquid.
Reference:
1. What Is Nano Silver?” Nano Silver. Pixel-Industry. Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “TEM; Silver Nanoparticles (5978792602)” By National Institute of Standards and Technology – TEM; Silver Nanoparticles (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Plata Coloidal Super Tyndall Effect” By Silverliving – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia