Transparent anti-fingerprint coating enabled by Zr–O–Si hybrid network with integrated mechanical and UV durability

Transparent anti-fingerprint coatings that simultaneously offer high optical clarity, robust liquid repellency, and long-term durability remain a critical challenge for modern touchscreen devices. In this study, we designed and fabricated a composite filler-based transparent amphiphobic coating via a spray deposition process. The coating comprises epoxy resin as the primary matrix, filled with zirconia gel and silica sol, together with a low-surface-energy modifier. The resulting coating exhibits a high transmittance of 89.7%, surpassing that of pristine glass (85.9%), and demonstrates excellent amphiphobicity with water and oil contact angles of 108° and 97°, respectively, as well as small sliding angles. The coating provides effective and durable anti-fingerprint performance under both light-touch and firm-press modes achieving 60% and 55% reductions in fingerprint residue coverage compared to pristine glass, respectively. Mechanical simulations further revealed a positive linear correlation between local contact stress and residual coverage, indicating that the anti-fingerprint performance does not arise from altering the fundamental pressure-contact relationship, but rather from minimizing residue adhesion through surface energy modulation. The coating also exhibits outstanding mechanical durability, chemical stability, high-temperature stability, and UV aging resistance, which are collectively attributed to the formation of Zr–O–Si covalent bonds that provide higher bond energy, multi-dentate crosslinking, and enhanced organic–inorganic interfacial adhesion. The low-cost, scalable fabrication process positions this Zr–O–Si reinforced coating as a practical and durable anti-fingerprint solution for next-generation touchscreens.