Robust Antibacterial Activity of Xanthan-Gum-Stabilized and Patterned CeO2–x–TiO2 Antifog Films

Increased occurrence of antimicrobial resistance leads to a huge burden on patients, the healthcare system, and society worldwide. Developing antimicrobial materials through doping rare-earth elements is a new strategy to overcome this challenge. To this end, we design antibacterial films containing CeO; 2-; x; -TiO; 2; , xanthan gum, poly(acrylic acid), and hyaluronic acid. CeO; 2-; x; -TiO; 2; inks are additionally integrated into a hexagonal grid for prominent transparency. Such design yields not only an antibacterial efficacy of ∼100% toward; Staphylococcus aureus; and; Escherichia coli; but also excellent antifog performance for 72 h in a 100% humidity atmosphere. Moreover, FluidFM is employed to understand the interaction in-depth between bacteria and materials. We further reveal that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial for the bactericidal activity of; E. coli; through fluorescent spectroscopic analysis and SEM imaging. We meanwhile confirm that Ce; 3+; ions are involved in the stripping phosphate groups, damaging the cell membrane of; S. aureus; . Therefore, the hexagonal mesh and xanthan-gum cross-linking chains act as a reservoir for ROS and Ce; 3+; ions, realizing a long-lasting antibacterial function. We hence develop an antibacterial and antifog dual-functional material that has the potential for a broad application in display devices, medical devices, food packaging, and wearable electronics.