Development of mesoporous sol–gel films for antifingerprint applications on glass

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2018-11, Vol.88 (2), p.334-344
• Main Authors: Druart, Marie-Eve, Recloux, I., Derouaux, A., Van De Van De Weerdt, C., Olivier, M.-G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorbed water; Ceramics; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Deposition; Evaporation; Glass; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Microbalances; Morphology; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper: Functional coatings; Quartz crystals; Rheological properties; Scanning electron microscopy; Self-assembly; Sol-gel processes; Stability analysis; thin films and membranes (including deposition techniques)
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-018-4813-9

Mesoporous films were synthesized by specific sol–gel route, including the use of surfactant molecules acting as templating agent through the evaporation induced self-assembly process. Controlled mesoporosity of the film is obtained by the thermal removal of the templating agent. In this work, the mesostructure of the sol–gel layer is used as reservoir for active enzymatic molecules providing antifingerprint coating. The mesopore size and their configuration were designed to assure a good impregnation by lipases. The coatings were applied on glass. The influence of the deposition process and the composition of the sol–gel on the structure of the mesoporous film was investigated. The film morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and water adsorption/desorption isotherms recorded with a quartz crystal microbalance. The stability of the sol–gel solution was assessed by rheological measurements. The efficiency of the combination of mesoporous film and the enzymatic solution was determined in terms of antifingerprint properties using an artificial sebum. Mesoporous sol–gel film is used as reservoir for active enzymatic biomolecules to provide antifingerprint coating. Mesoporous structure is obtained by the sol–gel method using the evaporation induced self-assembly process. Different parameters (thickness of coating, concentration in templating agent, etc.) were studied to manage and adapt the size and the structure of the mesopores in order to obtain an active coating. Highlights Design of mesoporous sol–gel films using evaporation induced self-assembly process. Influence of the thickness, deposition method, and templating agent/precursor molar ratio on the mesoporosity. Evaluation of antifingerprint properties of the sol–gel films impregnated with enzymes.