Silver is one of the precious and inert metals besides of gold and platinum. Among the production of silver, 25% is received from silver ores, 15% from gold ores, and rest 60% from copper, lead and zinc ores.

From world silver produced in 2001, around 1/3^rd was used to make jewelry and silver utensils, 1/4^th in light sensitive compounds that are used in photography and the rest almost was used in industrial applications. In America, 85% of the produced silver is used in photography and industrial applications, 8% in ornaments and silver cutlery and 7% in coins and medals. The United States is the biggest consumer of silver then India, Japan and Italy.

History of Silver

Silver and gold metals have been in use for more than six millennia. These precious metals occur together on earth crust. Silver was achieved in native and by charcoal reduction from specific silver minerals for example in cerargyrite (AgCl) in 4000 BC.

Silver was significant traditionally due to its color, dazzling luster, corrosion resistant nature and easy to use in the desired applications. It is also valuable for these properties even today, however besides, many other significant properties have changed it from becoming a attractive and monetary metal into a primarily industrial metal.

Silver as a Currency metal

Use of silver in the coins was limited after 1960 and 1970. It was done with some purpose because of the growing demand for silver in the several commercial markets and for coin based vending machines quickly exceeded the silver’s supply. Since most of silver is received as a side product of base metal mining, the mine supply could be rapidly augmented and national bullion stocks were quickly reaching to collapse. The situation was particularly critical in America in 1965 which had 8,537 tons of silver that was around 3/4^th of silver use in coin production in the whole world. In the present time, official silver coins are issued in the many counties however as stated in the application sections, they are bullion coins and commemorative problems not included for use as distributing money.

Silver facts 

Silver in addition of gold and precious group of metals is called as a precious or noble metal. From a chemical perspective, silver is a 4d transitional element with atomic number 47 and atomic weight 107.9. Its electronic configuration is [Kr]4d(0)5s(1). It is present in 5^th period and 11^th group in the period table. Silver has 4 oxidation states -> +1,0, +2, and +3 is developed by using a strong oxidizing agent and remains only when stabilized by the production of a complex. The natural silver is a combination of two stable isotopes.

Silver crystallizes in a cubic face centered structure and its melting is 961.93oC. Annealed silver offers density 10.49 g/cc at room temperature 20oC. It offers the highest electrical and thermal conductivity among the all metals. It offers the largest reflectivity in the visible spectrum of any metal.

Silver is basically inert to natural oxygen however is the most permeable metal to atomic oxygen. Silver although, readily reacts with sulfurous gases to create the surface tarnish. The metal dissolves in oxidizing acids and in aqueous potassium or sodium cyanide solutions in availability of oxygen.

Metals and Alloys

Fine silver of commercial or industrial grade is utilized for several applications and is a standard, immediately available metal. In several applications, however silver is alloyed with single or more metals that is required and in some cases it is important. With some exceptions, the most significant application of silver alloys are combination of silver with single or around 14 metals present in a periodic table surrounded by 3^rd and 6^th periods and 10^th and 14^th groups. The more essential metals are cadmium, copper, gold, indium, lead, mercury, palladium, platinum, tin, magnesium and manganese. The silver-copper combination is the most essential binary alloy.

Pure silver is widely utilized in the electrical switches and relays in small and medium current circuits like in home appliances and automotive applications. Silver alloys are used in the applications that need hardness and wear resistance. To obtain wider wear and to compete with arc erosion and welding in the high power circuits, sophisticated materials constructed with silver and with partial refractory and refractory oxides or metals are utilized. The silver use in the electrical alloys and partial refractory composites is very high and goes around 10 – 99% of the component weight.

Mineralogy

Silver creates several significant minerals around 248 minerals, among of which many are not basically silver minerals; they may have silver as a structural material.

Properties for applications

Photosensitivity to visible, x-ray, gamma ray wavelengths in electromagnetic spectrum, high electrical and thermal conductivity, chemical firmness in the various media, workability, look and price determine the use of silver in the industrial and architectural applications. For architectural or decoration purposes, its cost is for its outstanding shine, reflectivity and brightness. For industrial products, cost limits the consumption of silver for which it is exclusively used such as in brazing, electrical circuitry and photographic technology or where consistent and safe performance is of supreme or even significant use as in sleeve bearing or as electrical contacts utilized in oxygen rich conditions in aerospace vehicles.

Jewelry and silverware

The jewelry and silverware industry uses around 1/3^rd of the produced silver in the world. The consumption varies significantly among countries.

Silver has abundant of characteristics that make it an ideal choice for jewelry and decorative applications; it has remarkable whiteness and brightness and outstanding workability as well as great corrosion resistance. It is alloyed with gold, copper, and several other metals, to produce a range of alloys from which to choose the best one for the production of jewelry.

Traditional Uses

Silver has been widely utilized thorough the history for several medical purposes. It has been used in the medical applications for even six millennia to control microbial infections. It has been fit in testing the organisms and utilized to prevent diverse infections and non-infectious conditions, offering the great success. Silver has played a crucial role in the development of radiology and in injury recovery.

It has the most critical antimicrobial properties.

Metallic silver was known even 4,000 BCE before and it was the 3^rd metal recognized by the ancients after gold and copper. Over the several millennia, more primarily before the identification of microbes that cause infection, it has been utilized in the several equipments such as vessels, containers for liquid, coin, shaving, foil, sutures, solutions, colloids offering fine particles and electric colloids. The electric colloids of silver became basis of antimicrobial treatment in the beginning of 20^th century before the advancement of antibiotics in 1940s. Silver and protein complexes are called as mild silver proteins that were used.

Ancient medical applications of silver

Silver was used in the several forms to store food and water during the Second World War. The use of silver plates for wound healing was followed by Macedonians, it was the first effort to avoid or remedy of surgical infections. The silver products were used for the ulcers treatment and to enhance healing rate. It is evident that silver nitrate was utilized medically as it was stated in a medical book in Rome 69 BCE.

In the earlier development periods in the North American continent, when refrigeration facilities were not available and water required to send across long distances, it was usual to drop silver coins in the transport lines to preserve water. It was also significant in the preservation of milk and avoid damage even when it was not realized that it prevents the bacteria growth.

In 1800, there was extensive acceptance that liquids such as water, milk, water, vinegar, wine restored in the silver vessels remained pure for longer periods. Silver nitrate was also utilized to treat skin ulcers, compound fractures and suppurating wounds. Silver wires were produced in 1867 that were used to repair fistulas surgically. Silver foil was used for wound dressing in surgical incisions to avoid infections. The applications of silver for ophthalmologic treatment were increased significantly around 1940. Silver was used in the successful cure of infected corneal ulcers, interstitial keratitis, blepharitis and dacrocystitis. The colloidal silver was also found to be suitably effective in the cure for puerperal sepsis, staphylococcal, acute epididymitis and other infectious problems.

Uses of silver in 20^th century

Over the length of time, popular hints for suitable uses of silver were for water filtration, wound dressing for healing enhancement, the prevention and cure of infection, dental hygiene, eyes and other infectious problems.

Less clearance of suitability known for use for epilepsy and central nervous system problems , different digestive problems and a boost for tonic in old age or disability and for cure of arthritis, hemorrhoids, dandruff and warts. Silver was also found effective in the treatment of variety of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, cold, allergy and various other problems.

The medical experts and others are widely using silver in the several applications which took attention of the Washington media where an article for nanotechnology was published about the significant role of silver in the new sector. Silver is known for its antimicrobial properties for several centuries however it was only latest found that white metal does the work. The reason why silver is determinetal for microbes but is not harmful for humans. The metal decreases the performance rate of bacterial cells to produce chemical bonds that is necessary for the growth of bacteria. These bonds create the cell body, hence bacteria necessarily dies in availability of silver. On the other hand, the human body cells and of other animals consist of thick walls that are not affected by silver.

The above pictures show that how cell’s body is damaged by silver. The metal destroys the cell’s structure. This is how silver kills the bacteria.

Europe and North America utilize silver extensively in the biocide operations than Japan.

Similar to gold, silver is a soft, malleable and ductile metal actually it is a metal with the highest ductility. These characteristics led to its use in the several adornment and decorative materials for various purposes such as silver belt buckles, bracelets, chain necklaces, rings, and other ornamental items that were made traditionally. Then silver was utilized for these things as decorative handles for daggers and swords and finally in the present time, utensils and different kinds of tableware.

The commercial uses of silver today include 2/3^rd of global silver consumption that was not developed before 19^th century. The common traditional applications are stated as following:

1. Silver and silver salts are central to the development of photography since its discovery in 1820.
2. Silver-mercury dental mixtures have been utilized for tooth restoration since 1830s.
3. The silver polished mirrors were utilized by Egyptians in 3^rd millennium B.C. and silvering mirrors with lead, tin or mercury was practiced in Europe. The major production of silvered glass mirrors was by chemical reduction in silver nitrate in 1835.
4. A patent for a procedure for electroplating of silver was approved in 1840 that was the first patent for metal’s electroplating.
5. Silver and zinc were used as electrodes in battery in the startup of 19^th century until it was not used in military applications in 1940 that developed a demand for high energy density batteries. During this time realistic silver batteries were produced.
6. Silver sleeve bearing were made in 1940 for applications in the elevated temperature military aircraft engines.
7. Silver catalysts for the wide scale manufacturing of formaldehyde and oxidation of ethylene are developments of 2^nd half of 20^th
8. However silver was popular as an outstanding conductor of electricity in 19^th century, its extensive applications in switch and relay contacts and conductors increased significantly in the 20^th
9. Silver impregnated activated carbon filters are commonly utilized to purify and enhance the taste of drinking water. These filters eliminate chlorine from the domestic drinking water and silver performance is an effective bactericide from the many regular disease causing strains. The electrolytic systems using silver-copper electrodes are utilized to treat the swimming pool water. In case silver system is not used, the swimming pool water needs to be extensively chlorinated that results into inconvenience to swimmers and corrosion to the building structures. Silver is also suitable for use to curb the organism that otherwise results in pneumonia disorder.
10. Silver coated glass is utilized in automotive vehicles for sun reflection hence decreasing the stress on the air conditioning apparatus and decreasing the color loss of interior fabrics and finishes. The electrically heated coating and conductive lines are also utilized to remove frost and condensation from windshield and rear windows. The silver coated glass is also utilized in building windows to decrease the heat radiation in the cold season and solar radiation heat load in the hot weather.
11. Outstanding and accepted archival quality of silver halide layers and prints
12. Least power needs for battery powdered traditional cameras as compare to high power consuming digital cameras.

Medical Applications

The silver-copper ionization water treatment prevents the Legionnaires disorder. It is merely one example. The health care facilities in United States have become the major market for silver biocides for their water systems. It is also utilized in the equipments, catheters, furniture and in several services in the operation theaters. Hospitals also use silver embedded bandages. Water purification is a crucial procedure for hospitals since all patients’ immunity systems depend on this. The silver-copper ionization is a proven treatment for prolong control of legionella.

The application of silver in wound dressings was initially implemented on burn victims who were extensively sensitive to infection without the skin protection. Health specialists have discovered that Silver not only helps in the prevention of bacteria’s development, it also helps in healing the wounds more rapidly. However the reason of antibacterial properties has not been found, but it is proven that the metal has successful healing properties.

Silver is used in the medical products in the large degree as more products are introduced in the medical market understanding its effectiveness in killing bacteria.

Food processing

The silver based biocides are introduced in the dairy industry to offer bacteria free milk products that otherwise develop on the processing apparatus. Preparing ice for use in restaurant, food transportation and industrial procedures has always been attacked by bacteria in the hoses and fittings. Nowadays producers of industrial and commercial ice machines employ silver embedded hoses, clamps, pipe fittings and other locations where bacteria can grow. The meat processors also utilize silver based tables, devices, refrigerators and hooks.

Silver offers greater hygiene, odor control, avoids discoloration and structure depletion in processing regions as compare to the chemicals. Using silver based biocides also provide low downtime, as there is small need to off the device for cleaning. More applications are in special packing, industrial outfits worn by food processing operators, control of pathogen development in controlled environment systems and on walls, floors, and roof of food treatment and storage houses.

Food storage

Silver is also utilized in the preservation of fruits, vegetables, cut flowers to keep them fresh while transportation. The florist industry has a massive business around the world therefore many business use silver to keep their products fresh while transportation in the several countries such as Japan, America, United Kingdom and other nations.

Paper

Silver based paper products are recommended for use in the medical facilities to remain protected against bacteria. Additionally, these are also used in the business stationary, envelopes, brochures, book binding products and food packing.

Community Cleanliness

The public restroom systems are made using silver ion antibacterial products in a secured finish for door handles and plates that reduce the bacteria development on the surface of finished products. Studies state that more than half of the public restroom users do not want to touch the door handles. Using the antimicrobial secured finish will be suitable for significant life of the finish and doesn’t loose its colors.

Wood Storage

Wood storage is a major crucial application of silver biocides. The studies done in the US forest product labs states that silver based chemicals are suitable in increasing the wood resistance to termites. The wood finished with liquid preservatives can prevent the damages caused by soil conditions and exposure to the vigorous brown –rot fungus.

Garments

With outfits, the main problem is poor odor fabrics. The smell is caused by bacteria so it is essential to discard bacteria to make the clothes odor free. Clothing is a vast market around the globe that is simply tapped. It is especially popular in sport outfits. Silver based fabric is utilized in the several clothes that is significant in enhancing and marketing clothes to avoid bacteria generation and odor. It is called SilverIon that will soon be in the market. Silver based clothing is used by cyclists, space travelers and others.

Domestic appliances

Domestic electronics producer, Samsung has manufactured a washing machine employing antibiotic characteristics of silver rather hot water and detergent to make clothes bacteria free. When silver sterilization starts in the device,  the system produces nano – particles of silver metal that eliminate the bacteria without the need of hot water. Silver nano-particle technology is also used in refrigerators and air purifiers.

Games

As, it is toxic-free, silver is also accepted for use in the regular products that are used for kids such as in playground products.

Gadgets

Nowadays cell phone enclosures are also made of silver using its antimicrobial technology.

Water disinfestations

Silver and copper ions are distributed in the home swimming pool to disinfect and soften the water. It is the best alternative to reduce the requirement of chlorine powder.

Silver soldering 

After the ban on lead in electronic systems in the European market, primarily in the soldering for circuit joints, the combination of tin, copper and silver is used by many producers nowadays. The exchange could refer to increase in the extent of silver utilized in solder; however the quantity is not evident because the suitable ratio of tin, silver and copper is yet to be found.