The invention relates to a method for producing a coated, chemically prestressed glass substrate having anti-fingerprint properties. The method includes: applying at least one functional layer to a glass substrate; chemically prestressing the coated glass substrate by an ion exchange, where existing smaller alkali metal ions are exchanged for larger alkali metal ions, and are enriched in the glass substrate and the at least one functional layer; activating the surface of the at least one functional layer, where if more than one functional layer is present the surface of the outermost or uppermost layer is activated, the activating including one of several alternatives; and applying an amphiphobic coating to the at least one functional layer of the glass substrate, where, as a result of the activation process, the functional layer interacts with the amphiphobic coating.

Transparent conductive oxide thin films having a plurality of layers with voids located at each interface. Smooth TCO surfaces with no post growth processing and a largely tunable haze value. Methods of making include applying multiple layers of a conductive oxide onto a surface of a substrate, and interrupting the application between the multiple layers to form a plurality of voids at the interfaces.

The invention provides a transparent conducting film which comprises a compound of formula (I): Zn.sub.1-x[M].sub.xO.sub.1-y[X].sub.y(I) wherein: x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 0.25; y is from 0 to 0.1; [X] is at least one dopant element which is a halogen; and [M] is: (a) a dopant element which is selected from: a group 14 element other than carbon; a lanthanide element which has an oxidation state of +4; and a transition metal which has an oxidation state of +4 and which is other than Ti or Zr; or (b) a combination of two or more different dopant elements, at least one of which is selected from: a group 14 element other than carbon; a lanthanide element which has an oxidation state of +4; and a transition metal which has an oxidation state of +4 and which is other than Ti or Zr. The invention further provides coatings comprising the films of the invention, processes for producing such films and coatings, and various uses of the films and coatings.

A process for the preparation of an antimicrobial coating solution includes the steps of: (i) mixing a chelating agent with titanium alkoxide and fluoroacetic acid; and (ii) adding an aqueous solution to the mixture from step (i). The antimicrobial coating is visible light activated and can be applied to surfaces and optionally heat treated to form a transparent layer on the surface.