Solution‐Processed Flexible Glass‐Like Antibacterial Nanocomposite Coatings

Abstract

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.