Molecular mechanisms of metal-based nanoparticle antibacterial activity.

NPs	Molecular mechanisms	Ref.
Ag	Inhibiting DNA replication, damaging the cell membrane, and inactivation of proteins	38
Ag	Affecting the purine metabolite pathway is another antibacterial mechanism	39
Ag	Makes penetration through cell membrane easier, cooperating with intracellular materials and allowing cell destruction	41
TiO2/ZnO	Reactive oxygen species (ROS) aid as cell signaling molecules for regular biological processes and damage many cellular and molecular processes	42
C-based	Mechanical damage or apply oxidant	43
AuNPs	AuNPs target the energy metabolism and transcription process of bacteria	26
AuNPs	Formation of IB-AuNPs, and disruption of the bacterial cell membrane	48