Silver nanoparticles, research and development in Mexico: a bibliometric analysis

Mexico has been the world’s largest producer of silver for many years, and silver nanoparticles are the most important nanoparticles used in the industry worldwide due to a significant variety of properties. The main goal of this paper was to make a bibliometric analysis of the scientific and productive linkages about silver nanoparticles and their studies, developments, or applications in Mexico. This paper explores and shows the technological transfer of silver nanoparticles from the academic part until its industrial application. We analyzed the scientific publications, academic groups, and technological transfer. We analyzed the obtained data and we done a co-author network array, patent research, and commercial tracking. We found a marked set of researchers studying and developing several materials applied to diverse products range, where the academic production is limited to a number of granted patents. In addition, neither a complete knowledge of the environmental impacts and side effects caused by these particles were found, nor any public policy that regulates its manufacturing. The results suggest opportunities for research, development, application, and academic collaboration on nanoparticles and nanomaterials field, even for legislation and regulation areas. This article shows that Mexico has a good capability to do research and development, in order to generate a propitious environment to scale up the production and commercialization of these technologies on national and international markets, and strengthen collaboration with other countries.