Solution-Processed Flexible Glass-Like Antibacterial Nanocomposite Coatings

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• High-touch electronic displays are significant sources of pathogenic contamination.
• Developing protective coatings with antibacterial properties, mechanical robustness, flexibility, transparency, and biocompatibility for flexible displays is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a single, multifunctional coating integrating potent antibacterial activity, mechanical durability, flexibility, transparency, and biocompatibility for electronic displays.

Main Methods:

• An "all-in-one" precursor strategy was employed using 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane within a perhydropolysilazane-Ag+ system.
• This facilitated in situ formation, stabilization, and covalent anchoring of silver nanoparticles within a SiOₓ matrix during mild curing.

Main Results:

• The resulting coating exhibited >99.99% durable antibacterial activity, excellent biocompatibility, polymer-like flexibility, glass-like damage tolerance, and high transparency.
• The synergistic chemical cascade ensured seamless integration of multiple high-performance properties.

Conclusions:

• A reliable and scalable approach for fabricating robust, multifunctional protective surfaces was demonstrated.
• The developed coating is highly promising for next-generation flexible electronics requiring durability and hygiene.