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

Kód výsledku v 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>

Výsledek na webu

<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>

Jazyk výsledku

angličtina

Název v původním jazyce

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

Popis výsledku v původním jazyce

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.

Název v anglickém jazyce

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

Popis výsledku anglicky

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.

Druh

J_imp - Článek v periodiku v databázi Web of Science

CEP obor

—

OECD FORD obor

20506 - Coating and films

Projekt

Výsledek vznikl pri realizaci vícero projektů. Více informací v záložce Projekty.

Návaznosti

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

Rok uplatnění

2025

Kód důvěrnosti údajů

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

Název periodika

Materials &amp; Design

ISSN

0264-1275

e-ISSN

1873-4197

Svazek periodika

254

Číslo periodika v rámci svazku

JUN 2025

Stát vydavatele periodika

GB - Spojené království Velké Británie a Severního Irska

Počet stran výsledku

11

Strana od-do

nestránkováno

Kód UT WoS článku

001490749900002

EID výsledku v databázi Scopus

2-s2.0-105004406876