This study aims to design a comprehensive experimental teaching platform that integrates cutting-edge research on antibacterial materials into undergraduate education. By developing a multifunctional antibacterial coating for medical silicone, the experiment seeks to enhance students’ practical skills, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary knowledge integration while addressing clinical challenges such as catheter-associated infections. The pedagogical goal is to bridge scientific research and education, fostering innovation in biomedical engineering.

A polydopamine (PDA)-modified silicone substrate was synthesized, incorporating Au@MnO₂ nanocomposites to achieve synergistic photothermal and catalytic antibacterial effects. The coating preparation involved PDA self-polymerization, Mn²⁺ chelation, and in situ growth of Au@MnO₂ nanostructures. Characterization techniques, including SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS, were employed to analyze the coating’s morphology and composition. Antibacterial performance was evaluated against E. coli under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, with hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation quantified via fluorescence spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The experiment was embedded into a teaching framework, guiding students through hypothesis formulation, data analysis, and mechanism exploration.

The Au@MnO₂/PDA/silicone coating demonstrated exceptional antibacterial efficacy, achieving a 100% inhibition rate against E. coli under NIR irradiation (0.6 W/cm², 10 min). Structural analysis confirmed uniform dispersion of Au@MnO₂ nanoparticles on the PDA matrix, with enhanced light absorption (400–1 200 nm) and localized temperature rise up to 50 ℃. The synergistic mechanism combined photothermal effects and nanozyme-catalyzed ROS generation, validated by ·OH detection via TMB oxidation and EPR. Students successfully replicated experimental protocols, analyzed data trends, and proposed optimization strategies, demonstrating improved problem-solving and interdisciplinary competencies.

This study establishes a robust science-education integration model by transforming advanced antibacterial material research into an immersive teaching experiment. The Au@MnO₂/PDA coating offers a promising solution for reducing medical device-related infections, while the pedagogical design cultivates students’ innovation capabilities and scientific literacy. The experiment’s success highlights the value of integrating research frontiers into curricula to train interdisciplinary talent for healthcare challenges.