Bacterial and viral infection transmission is a significant global challenge. The application of antibacterial and antiviral coatings on surfaces is a promising approach to reduce contamination and spread of harmful pathogens. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an effective agent to provide antibacterial properties to materials in multiple application fields, thanks to their high surface-to-volume ratio and small size. These characteristics enable AgNPs to interact more effectively with bacterial cells, disrupting them and allowing easy penetration through biological barriers. Among the application fields, AgNPs could be potentially appropriate to produce antibacterial textiles, hospital protective clothing that prevent bacterial contamination and antibacterial air filters to purify air and reduce the presence of pathogenic bacteria.