How it Works

Agion's customized antimicrobial solutions incorporate silver ions in a zeolite carrier. The silver ions exchange with other positive ions (often sodium) from the moisture in the environment, effecting a release of silver ìon demandî.

The patented multi-faceted zeolite crystal carrier provides a three dimensional release mechanism (Figure 1) that provides efficient release of silver ions independent of particle orientation in the substrate.

Figure 2 shows the ion exchange process. Zeolite crystals containing silver ions are randomly oriented and distributed through the surface of a fiber, polymer or coating. In conditions that support bacterial growth, positive ions, in ambient moisture, exchange with silver ions at reversible bonding sites on the zeolite. The exchanged silver ions are now available to control microbial growth.

Fighting microbes in three ways
Silver ions attack multiple targets in the microbe to prevent it from growing to a destructive population. This tri-modal action fights cell growth in three ways:

1. Prevents respiration by inhibiting transport functions in the cell wall
2. Inhibits cell division (reproduction)
3. Disrupts cell metabolism

Depending on the microorganism, Agionís antimicrobial technology has been shown to initially reduce microbial populate ions within minutes to hours while maintaining optimal performance for years.