A hydrophilic nanocomposite coating with enhanced durability and antifouling properties

The adhesion of bacteria to surfaces and the resulting biofilm pose significant risks to human health care services, food packaging and storage, and the marine industry. There is an urgent need to develop efficient antimicrobial surfaces to prevent bacterial adhesion, kill adherent bacteria, and prevent/disrupt biofilm formation. More recently, hydrophilic antimicrobial coatings have gained recognition as a highly efficacious material that possesses robust resistance to infection by preventing microbial accumulation and effectively eradicating microorganisms. However, the intricate fabrication processes, subpar mechanical properties, and inadequate weather resistance limit their practical applicability. Herein, we successfully fabricate a highly durable organic-inorganic hybrid hydrophilic nanocoating using compound silicates, silver nitrate, and TEGO Addibit EK50 through a one-pot method. The results reveal that the transparent coating exhibits remarkable hydrophilicity and outstanding antifouling performance, and their performance does not appreciably decline following 2000 friction and weather resistance tests. Additionally, the coating possesses a sterilization efficiency of 99