Preparation and Properties of Hard Coatings / Thin Films

Dear Colleagues,

As scientists, we have enormous potential that should be applied. By creating new materials, we can predict their properties, and modify and adapt them to dedicated purposes. One problem that many scientists currently face is the application of thin films in fields such as electronics, photovoltaics and light converters. The journal will contain the results of the use of thin and hard coatings. This Special Issue solicits contributions related to the latest experimental and theoretical developments in the growth design and applications of hard coatings. Hard coatings based on nitrides, oxides, oxynitrides, borides, and carbides are now routinely synthesized by vapor deposition techniques to improve the performance of tools, machine parts, or devices in terms of mechanical strength, wear, and resistance to harsh environments (oxidation, corrosive, high temperature and pressure, etc.). The aim of this Special Issue on “Preparation and Properties of Hard Coatings and Thin Films” is to provide an update on the current state of research and developments in the field of hard coatings by presenting a collection of experimental and theoretical works.

This Special Issue will encompass original research papers and review articles from leading groups around the world. In particular, the topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Determination of the properties and application of hard films;
• Determination of the properties and application of thin films;
• Hard coating synthesis/deposition;
• Thin films coating synthesis/deposition;
• Hard multilayer coatings;
• Thin multilayer coatings;
• Nanostructured hard coatings;
• Nanostructured thin coatings;
• Coating synthesis and deposition optimization;
• Simulation when applied to coatings’ characterization;
• CVD and PVD techniques for the synthesis and deposition of hard coatings;
• Techniques for the synthesis and deposition of thin films;
• DLC coating synthesis/deposition;
• Characterization of hard coatings;
• Characterization of thin films;
• Tribological characterization of hard coatings;
• Hard coating applications;
• Thin films’ applications;
• Sustainability of hard coatings.
• Sustainability of thin films.

Looking forward to receiving your original scientific contributions (full paper, communication, or review article) to this Special Issue.

Dr. Lidia Mosińska
Dr. Pawel Popielarski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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• hard films
• thin coatings
• hard coatings