Solution-Processed Flexible Glass-Like Antibacterial Nanocomposite Coatings.

Abstract

High-touch electronic displays represent a significant source of pathogenic contamination, creating an urgent need for protective coatings that combine antibacterial efficacy and mechanical robustness. However, developing protective coatings for emerging flexible displays faces a formidable challenge, as they must simultaneously satisfy a series of often-conflicting property requirements: potent antibacterial activity, high biocompatibility, excellent transparency, robust mechanical durability, as well as intrinsic flexibility. Developing a single coating that integrates all the required functionalities therefore remains a highly anticipated goal. Herein, we resolve this challenge through an "all-in-one" precursor strategy involving the incorporation of the bifunctional coupling agent, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, into a perhydropolysilazane-Ag⁺ system. This multicomponent design enables a synergistic chemical cascade that controls the in situ formation, stabilization, and subsequent covalent anchoring of silver nanoparticles within a dense SiO_x matrix during a mild curing process. The resulting coating demonstrates a seamless integration of multiple high-performance properties: potent and durable antibacterial activity (>99.99%), excellent biocompatibility, polymer-like flexibility, glass-like damage tolerance, and high transparency. This work provides a reliable and scalable approach for fabricating robust, multifunctional protective surfaces, making it highly promising for next-generation flexible electronics where both durability and hygiene are paramount.