A method potentiating antimicrobial silver materials against pathogens. The method includes the steps of: providing an antimicrobial silver material to an article to be treated; providing oxygen to the article at greater than atmospheric concentration in the presence of the antimicrobial silver so the antimicrobial silver material provides greater microbial kill than antimicrobial silver material alone. The method encompasses providing an antimicrobial silver material and providing oxygen at greater than atmospheric concentration to a wound. Devices and compositions for carrying out the method and processes for making such devices and compositions are also disclosed.