Embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to compositions including a copper/silica nanocomposite and a polymer, methods of making a composition, methods of using a composition, and the like. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a composition, among others, that includes: a copper/silica nanocomposite having a silica gel matrix that includes copper from one or more of copper nanopartides and copper ions, and a polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylpyrrolidone, poryacrylamide, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, starch, a quaternary ammonium compound, and a combination thereof.
