This invention discloses novel antimicrobial materials comprising of nanocrystalline metal, metal oxide, and active oxygen species in a permeable structure. It also discloses the compositions of the inventive material enriched with different active oxygen species. The inventive material showed a strong antimicrobial ability over a wide spectrum of microbies. The average log-reduction value was eight within five minutes. The inventive materials can remain sterile in air over more than two months. The methods used to prepare this inventive material are disclosed.