Multicomponent Dynamic Heterogeneous Coatings With Carbon-Dots Nanofluids for Superlubricity and Antifouling Performances

Molecular-scale coatings are valued for their flexible designability, versatility, and high precision, yet their mechanical fragility severely limits reliability in applications such as optical components and medical devices. This limitation mainly arises from the long-standing trade-off between low friction and wear resistance. Herein, we address this challenge by developing a mechanically robust molecular-scale superlubricity coating based on a dynamic heterogeneous architecture, constructed from organic–inorganic hybrid units in which liquid carbon-dots (LCDs) nanofluids are confined within porous hollow silica carriers. This rational design rapidly enters a superlubric state with an ultralow coefficient of friction (COF ≈ 0.00616) and maintains stable performance over 10 800 sliding cycles under testing. Beyond lubrication, the coating exhibits antibiofouling performance against E. coli, S. aureus, Porphyridium, and Dunaliella, with reduction rates of up to 99%, while retaining high optical transmittance (>85%). Mechanistically, the porous silica framework provides load-bearing and stress redistribution, whereas confined LCDs dissipate shear energy through dynamic rearrangement. Meanwhile, the LCDs-induced dynamic surface texture stabilizes the top molecular monolayer and sustains its low-surface-energy interfacial effect. Together, these features mitigate the trade-off between low friction and mechanical durability. This work offers a strategy for multifunctional coatings integrating molecular-scale lubrication, interfacial stability, optical transparency, and antifouling performance.