Nanoparticles for use in anti pathogenic applications

A dispersible nanoparticle 200 comprises a core 210 made of a metal or a metal alloy compound coated with at least one of a carboxylic acid and a water-soluble polymer 220. The core may comprise zinc, copper, a rare earth compound or a lanthanide such as cerium. The core may be combined with an oxygen-based non-metallic compound, such as oxygen or an anion such as a carbonate ion, nitrate, nitrite or hydroxide. The coating may include an organic compound selected from an amino and a peptide. The organic compound may comprise a carboxyl, hydroxyl or an amine functional group for bonding to the core by electrostatic bonding. A nanoparticle dispersion comprises a concentration of said nanoparticles and may have anti-viral, anti-bacterial or anti-parasitic properties. A membrane coated with said dispersible nanoparticles may be used in a face mask or an air filter of an air conditioning unit. A method of coating said membrane comprises dipping the membrane in the nanoparticle dispersion or spraying the membrane with the dispersion and heating the membrane to bind the nanoparticles to its surface.