Multilayer design of sustainable multifunctional Zr–Cu–N coatings: A route for enhanced mechanical and antibacterial performance

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F49777513%3A23520%2F25%3A43975495" target="_blank" >RIV/49777513:23520/25:43975495 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114037" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114037</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114037" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114037</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Multilayer design of sustainable multifunctional Zr–Cu–N coatings: A route for enhanced mechanical and antibacterial performance

Original language description

Wear-resistant protective coatings with antimicrobial activity are essential for durability and hygiene in healthcare, public spaces, food industry, consumer products, and industrial environments. This study developed sustainable multifunctional Zr–Cu–N coatings with exceptional damage tolerance, and antibacterial properties using non-reactive and reactive sputtering of only two elemental Zr and Cu targets without external heating. The coatings’ superior performance stems from a sophisticated multilayer architecture combining elastic ZrCu metallic glass, hard and stiff ZrN ceramic, and hard and tough ZrN–Cu nanocomposite coatings. Each constituent was optimized for composition and mechanical properties before integration into multilayer structures to provide high damage tolerance and antibacterial functionality. Antibacterial efficacy was tested in a high-traffic environment over 60 days, showing consistent antimicrobial performance. Fracture stress and toughness were assessed through in situ bending experiments on microcantilever beams fabricated by focused ion beam milling. Results revealed that optimizing the thicknesses of ductile and stiff sublayers significantly enhances damage tolerance while maintaining high hardness and wear resistance. The incorporation of Cu in an unbonded state within the ZrN–Cu nanocomposite facilitates sustainable and scalable production of these multifunctional coatings with antibacterial properties, making them ideal for large surface applications in high-traffic environments like hospitals, office buildings, and public transport.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

20506 - Coating and films

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Materials &amp; Design

ISSN

0264-1275

e-ISSN

1873-4197

Volume of the periodical

254

Issue of the periodical within the volume

JUN 2025

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

11

Pages from-to

nestránkováno

UT code for WoS article

001490749900002

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105004406876