Organosilicate compound filler to increase the mechanical strength of superhydrophilic layer-by-layer assembled film

Technologies that can overcome the poor mechanical properties of the coatings with bacterial anti-adhesion effect based on super-wetting properties are still challenging. In this study, we developed a durable superhydrophilic nanocomposite coatings composed of polysaccharide matrix and organosilicate (OS) compound filler. In brief, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CS)-based multilayer films were fabricated via Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly then crosslinking for the films was performed to improve inner stability and induce superhydrophilicity. As second step, we synthesized a biocompatible and robust organosilicate compound via sol-gel reaction and incorporate it as reinforcing filler into the superhydrophilic films. Consequently, durable hybrid superhydrophilic nanocomposites were coated on the substrate, and various chemical analysis and performance evaluations of the coatings were performed. The mechanical properties of the composite coatings were significantly improved due to the OS acting as a reinforcing filler in the multilayer films. Furthermore, the coatings exhibited excellent biocompatibility and transparency and exerted antibacterial effect based on superhydrophilic property. This study presents a practical strategy to solve the poor durability, the limitation of super-wetting coatings widely applied in various fields.