Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Coatings Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Published Papers

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 20495

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vitaly Tseluikin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Engels Technological Institute, Yuri Gagarin State Technical University of Saratov, Saratov, Russia
Interests: applied electrochemistry; electrodeposition kinetics; corrosion; surface engineering; non-stationary processes

Dr. Lin Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
Interests: carbide-bonded graphene coating; surface treatment and characterization; ultra-precision diamond turning; precision glass molding; micro-optical design and fabrication

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of carbon-based coatings continues to draw attention from scientific and industrial communities due to their exceptional mechanical, electrical, and tribological properties. According to different methods, carbon-based coatings can be tailored from superhard, such as in diamond-like carbon (DLC), to soft and lubricant, such as in graphite and carbon nanotubes, by adjusting the sp³/sp² carbon hybridization ratio, or the doping components, such as hydrogen content. Graphene, a novel 2D material, monatomic layer of carbon atoms composed of sp² bonded with a honeycomb lattice structure, has fascinated researchers. Some of its overwhelming advantages in terms of physical, such as optical and electrical, and chemical properties further push its boundaries. The combination of adhesion resistance and friction reduction even under extreme conditions makes carbon-based coatings unique. Study of the corrosion behavior of carbon-based coatings is also important. With the recent advances in deposition processes and wide applications, the potential synthesis mechanism as well as the coating structure and properties become a scientific issue. Furthermore, the investigation of interaction between carbon-based coatings with various physical loads, such as mechanical, optical, and electric, and the corresponding deformation mechanism attract attention. Therefore, it is very useful to establish a correlation among them. This is of great practical importance as, due to the combination of unique properties, carbon-based coatings can be used in various industries (chemical, mechanical engineering, electronics, etc.).

This Special Issue is intended to collect current work on the development, characterization, and deformation mechanism of carbon-based coatings. We encourage you to send manuscripts containing scientific findings and significant contributions for the promotion of carbon-based coatings.

In particular, the topic of interest includes but is not limited to:

Techniques to deposit carbon-based coatings;
Characterization of carbon-based coatings;
Optical, electrical, and mechanical properties of carbon-based coatings;
Deformation mechanism of carbon-based coating under extreme conditions;
Variation of optical, electrical, mechanical properties under different conditions;
Determination of the carbon-based coating adhesion strength;
Corrosion behavior of carbon-based coatings;
Modeling and simulation of optical, electrical, mechanical behavior;
Applications of carbon-based coatings.

Dr. Vitaly Tseluikin
Dr. Lin Zhang
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.

Published Papers (12 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 181 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

by Vitaly Tseluikin and Lin Zhang

Coatings 2022, 12(7), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12070907 - 27 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1332

Abstract

The production of composite thin films/coatings with desired properties is currently an important scientific and technical area [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

10 pages, 3458 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

The Inﬂuence of Site of Co and Holes in PCD Substrate on Adhesive Strength of Diamond Coating with PCD Substrate

by Cen Hao and Guoliang Liu

Coatings 2024, 14(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14010001 - 19 Dec 2023

Viewed by 705

Abstract

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) prepared by the high temperature and pressure method often uses Co as a binder, which had a detrimental effect on the cutting performance of PCD, thus Co needed to be removed. However, the removal of Co would cause residual holes and also make the cutting performance of PCD poorer. To address this issue, hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) was used. During deposition, the residual holes cannot be filled fully, and Co would diffuse to the interface between CVD diamond coatings and the PCD substrate, which influenced the adhesive strength of the diamond coating with the PCD substrate. In order to investigate the influencing mechanism, both experiments and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been employed. The experimental results demonstrate that Co and the holes in the interface would reduce the interfacial binding strength. Further, we built interfacial structures consisting of diamond (100), (110), (111) surfaces and PCD to calculate the corresponding interfacial binding energy, charge density and charge density difference. After contrast, for Co and the holes located on the (110) surface, the corresponding interfacial binding energy was bigger than the others. This means that the corresponding C-C covalent bond was stronger, and the interfacial binding strength was higher. Based on this, conducting cobalt removal pretreatment, optimizing the PCD synthetic process and designing the site of Co can improve the performance of the PCD substrate CVD diamond coating tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

0 pages, 3449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Suppression of Secondary Electron Emissions on the Graphene-Coated Polyimide Materials Prepared by Chemical Vapor Deposition

by Xin Qi, Yanzhao Ma, Sisheng Liu, Xiangyu Nie, Tao Zhang, Yong Wu, Weiping Peng and Guoming Hu

Coatings 2023, 13(10), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13101805 - 20 Oct 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1116

Abstract

Polyimide thin-film materials are widely used in aerospace and particle gas pedals, etc., but the phenomenon of secondary electron emission occurred under vacuum conditions. The graphene-coated polyimide materials were prepared for this phenomenon to suppress secondary electron emissions. The graphene coating was prepared on the polyimide surface through chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Scanning electron microscope images (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer images (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and other analytical methods were used to characterize the properties of the prepared materials. The C1s XPS fine spectra and Raman curve analyses showed that the material has an abundant sp2 hybridized structure, and the sp2 structure can reduce secondary electron emissions. The C, O, and N contents in the tested samples were 65.85, 20.47, and 13.68 at.%, respectively. It was examined that the graphene coating had an inhibitory effect on the secondary electron emissions of polyimide materials, and the secondary electron emission yield (SEY) was significantly reduced. The results of secondary electron tests showed that the maximum SEY (δmax) of the polyimide material decreased from 1.72 to 1.52 after the preparation of the graphene coating. The mechanism of using a graphene coating to reduce the SEY of polyimide was analyzed from experimental and theoretical perspectives. The results of this study can provide research ideas for polyimide thin film materials in aerospace, particle gas pedals, and other applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adhesion Strength of Al, Cr, In, Mo, and W Metal Coatings Deposited on a Silicon–Carbon Film

by Natalia Igorevna Cherkashina, Vyacheslav Ivanovich Pavlenko, Sergey Viktorovich Zaitsev, Andrey Ivanovich Gorodov, Semen Nikolayevich Domarev, Roman Vladimirovich Sidelnikov and Dmitry Sergeevich Romanyuk

Coatings 2023, 13(8), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13081353 - 02 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 783

Abstract

For the first time, the possibility of creating a multilayer system metal (Al, Cr, In, Mo, and W) silicon–carbon coating was studied. A silicon–carbon film was synthesized from a polyorganosiloxane polymer containing an active Si–O siloxane group. Due to the use of furnace pyrolysis, in which the purge gas continuously removes the polymer thermal degradation products from the system, it was possible to reduce the film formation temperature to 300 °C. According to the energy dispersive analysis data, silicon–carbon film has the following composition: C—34.85 wt%, O—42.02 wt%, and Si—23.13 wt%. Metallic coatings of Al, Cr, In, Mo, and W on a silicon–carbon substrate were obtained by vacuum magnetron sputtering. The metallic coatings were evaluated by SEM as well as by X-ray phase analysis. The adhesion strength of metallic coatings to the silicon–carbon substrate was assessed by scratching under continuously increasing load with a Rockwell C Diamond Indenter. At the same time, the friction coefficient was recorded at the corresponding value of load on the indenter. The adhesive strength of metals with the silicon–carbon substrate increases in the sequence W, Mo, In, Al, and Cr. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of KHCO₃ Activation on Characteristics of Biomass-Derived Carbons for Supercapacitor

by Yudan Yuan, Yi Sun, Chenguang Liu, Li Yang and Cezhou Zhao

Coatings 2023, 13(7), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13071236 - 11 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1136

Abstract

Biomass materials with representative morphologies and compositions were employed to study the activation effect of KHCO₃. As the activation time increased from 1 to 3 h, the products derived from puffed rice and pleurotus eryngii achieved a hierarchical porous structure, while the products derived from cotton still presented a microporous structure. In the electrochemical test of a three-electrode system, the specific capacitance of these products was 352, 319, and 216 F g⁻¹, respectively. In the two-electrode system, the PR-2-based symmetric supercapacitor presented with a specific capacitance of 280.7 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹, and the energy density of 14.03 Wh kg⁻¹ at 150.04 W kg⁻¹ and an energy density retention of 73.7% was at an even higher power density of 8380.4 W kg⁻¹. After 10,000 cycles of charging and discharging at 5 A g⁻¹, the specific capacitance retention of the supercapacitor reached 108.8%. Based on the experimental analysis, a likely mechanism for the formation of pores was proposed. The results indicate that biomass materials with soft layered or a network structure are the best candidates to obtain a hierarchical porous structure by KHCO₃ activation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1905 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural and Mechanical Properties of DLC/TiN Coatings on Carbide for Wood-Cutting Applications

by Vadzim Chayeuski, Valery Zhylinski, Victor Kazachenko, Aleksandr Tarasevich and Abdelhafed Taleb

Coatings 2023, 13(7), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13071192 - 02 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1342

Abstract

In this work, the diamond-like carbon and titanium nitride (DLC/TiN) multilayer coatings were prepared on a cemented tungsten carbide substrate (WC—3 wt.% Co) using the cathodic vacuum arc physical vapor deposition (Arc-PVD) method and pulsed Arc-PVD method with a graphite cathode for the deposition of TiN and carbon layers, respectively. The structural and mechanical properties of the prepared coatings were studied, and different techniques, such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and microindentation techniques investigated their microstructure, composition, and phases. The prepared coatings had a multilayer structure with distinct phases of DLC, TiN, and carbide substrate. The potentiodynamic polarization method (PDP) was performed for the DLC/TiN multilayer coatings in 3% NaCl solution to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the prepared coatings. It has been shown that the DLC layer provided the coating with a polarization resistance of 564.46 kΩ. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the DLC/TiN coatings had a high hardness of 38.7–40.4 GPa, which can help to extend the wood-cutting tools’ life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 2286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Electrodeposition and Properties of Composite Nickel Coatings Modified with Ti₃C₂T_X MXene

by Vitaly Tseluikin, Asel Dzhumieva, Alena Tribis, Denis Tikhonov, Alexey Tsyganov, Nikolay Gorshkov and Marina Lopukhova

Coatings 2023, 13(6), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13061042 - 04 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1484

Abstract

In this work we have synthesized Ti₃C₂T_X MXene powder and studied its structure. Composite electrochemical coatings (CECs) of Ni-Ti₃C₂T_X MXene were obtained from a sulfate– chloride bath in the galvanostatic regime. The microstructure of CEC was researched using X-ray phase analysis and scanning electron microscopy methods. It has been established that a Ni–Ti₃C₂T_X MXene CEC microhardness rises by about 1.80 times compared with electrolytic Ni without a dispersed phase. For corrosion research, different corrosive media is applied. The corrosion–electrochemical behavior of Ni–Ti₃C₂T_X MXene CECs by the chronovoltamperometry method in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution has been investigated. Trials in 3.5% NaCl have shown that Ti₃C₂T_X MXene inclusion into the matrix of the electrochemical Ni results in a decrease in the corrosion rate by 1.60–1.75 times. These effects are due to the addition of Ti₃C₂T_X MXene into the nickel matrix and the formation of CECs with a strengthening fine-grained structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3547 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Composite High-k Films Based on Polyethylene Filled with Electric Arc Furnace Dust and MWCNT with Permittivity Synergetic Effect

by Igor Burmistrov, Nikolay Kiselev, Timur Khaydarov, Bekzod Khaydarov, Evgeny Kolesnikov, Vasily Ovchinnikov, Elena Volnyanko, Marina Suyasova, Maria Vikulova, Nikolay Gorshkov, Denis Kuznetsov and Peter O. Offor

Coatings 2023, 13(4), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13040672 - 25 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1276

Abstract

The production of three-phase composites is a relevant and effective approach to obtain materials with the required mechanical and dielectric properties. In this work, dust, which is a waste product of steelmaking and is formed during the gas cleaning of electric arc furnaces at the production base of Severstal, was used as a functional filler for the low-density polyethylene polymer matrix. The fractional, elemental, qualitative, and quantitative phase composition of the native dust was studied using laser diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray phase analysis, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. An increase in the permittivity of the dust was achieved due to its reduction in a hydrogen atmosphere and, as a consequence, a change in the elemental and phase composition causing an increase in the concentration of metallic iron. Composite films were obtained using a blending roll mill at temperatures of 130 and 140 °C. The concentration of the main filler was 18.75, 37.5, and 75 wt.%. Additionally, a conductive additive in the form of MWCNTs was introduced into the composition of the composites in an amount of 0.25 wt.%. The uniformity of the filler distribution in the polymer matrix was assessed from electron micrographs. The dielectric properties of fillers and composite films based on polyethylene filled with electric arc furnace dust and MWCNTs were studied using impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of 10–10⁶ Hz. The use of reduced dust at a concentration of 25.8 vol.% combined with 0.25 wt.% MWCNTs in the composition of the composite film provided an increase in ε′ to 13.5 at tan δ = 0.038. Thus, three-phase polymer matrix composites based on LDPE using dust as a filler with a conductive microadditive of MWCNTs have a synergistic effect, which manifests itself in an increase in the permittivity and a decrease in dielectric losses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 3171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flexible Free-Standing Graphene-Fe₂O₃ Hybrid Paper with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Chuanning Yang, Wangchuan Xiao, Shizhao Ren and Qiyong Li

Coatings 2022, 12(11), 1726; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12111726 - 11 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 974

Abstract

The cyclic performance of flexible free-standing graphene-Fe₂O₃ hybrid sheet is considerably improved and was fabricated by a novel one-step hydrothermal process. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemical workstation are performed to characterize the microstructure and electrochemical performance of the graphene-Fe₂O₃ hybrid sheet. At a current density of 200 mA·g⁻¹, the obtained product has a high initial discharge capacity of 1466 mAh·g⁻¹. The nanohybrids also exhibited a considerably high reversible capacity of 765 mAh·g⁻¹ and high Coulombic efficiency of 99.8% after 100 cycles, which benefited from the open 3D laminated nanostructure constructed by layered graphene paper and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. Therefore, the composite has excellent rate performance and stability and can be greatly extended as the anode material of lithium-ion batteries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 4155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Microwave Facile Synthesis of NiO_x@graphene Nanocomposites for Application in Supercapacitors: Insights into the Formation and Storage Mechanisms

by Yue Liang, Zhen Wei, Ruigang Wang and Xinyu Zhang

Coatings 2022, 12(8), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12081060 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1434

Abstract

Recently, the strategy of combining carbon-based materials with metal oxides to enhance the electrochemical performance of electrodes has been a topic of great interest, but research focusing on the growth and charge storage mechanisms of such hybrid electrodes has rarely been conducted. In this work, a simple, reproducible, low-cost, and fast microwave heating method was used to synthesize NiO_x@graphene nanocomposites. NiO_x@graphene nanocomposites were used as a model system for exploring the growth and charge storage mechanisms of the hybrid electrode materials due to their simple preparation process, good stability, low cost, and high specific capacitance. The effects of reaction conditions (the type of metal precursor and feeding ratio between the nickel precursor and graphene) on the formation mechanism of the electrodes were examined, and it was demonstrated that the microstructure and morphology of the electrode materials were metal precursor-dependent, which was directly related to the electrochemical performance of the electrodes. Our work provides a new affordable approach to the synthesis of, and experimental support for designing, hybrid electrode architectures with a high electrochemical performance for next-generation energy storage devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 1676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pulsed Electrodeposition and Properties of Nickel-Based Composite Coatings Modified with Graphene Oxide

by Vitaly Tseluikin, Asel Dzhumieva, Denis Tikhonov, Andrey Yakovlev, Anastasia Strilets, Alena Tribis and Marina Lopukhova

Coatings 2022, 12(5), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12050656 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2108

Abstract

Composite electrochemical coatings (CECs) on the basis of nickel modified with multilayer graphene oxide (GO) were deposited from a sulfate–chloride electrolyte in pulsed electrolysis mode. The microstructure of these CECs was studied by X-ray phase analysis and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the microhardness of nickel–GO CECs increases by approximately 1.40 times compared to pure nickel. The corrosion–electrochemical behavior of nickel–GO composite coatings in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ was studied. Based on tests in 3.5% NaCl, it was found that the addition of graphene oxide particles into the matrix of nickel electrodeposits, increases their corrosion resistance by 1.40–1.50 times. This can be explained by the uniformity of the distribution of GO in the nickel matrix, which contributes to the reduction in grain size, as well as the impermeability and stability of graphene oxide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

30 pages, 22476 KiB

Open AccessReview

Modification Methods of Diamond like Carbon Coating and the Performance in Machining Applications: A Review

by Lijun Wang, Yan Liu, Hui Chen and Mengchao Wang

Coatings 2022, 12(2), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12020224 - 09 Feb 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5476

Abstract

The ideal cutting-tool coating material is characterized by unique chemical and physical properties to achieve excellent cutting performance, a good thermal barrier effect, and a high-quality machined surface. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, as a kind of cutting-tool coating material, has been used in cutting various materials due to its low coefficients of friction and thermal expansion, high hardness, and good chemical inert and thermal conductivity. This article mainly focuses on the modification methods for the DLC coating and their application in machining different materials. Firstly, the methods employed to improve the mechanical properties of DLC coating are reviewed and analyzed, including the multilayer structure design, transition layer, and doping other elements. Secondly, the machining performances of DLC-coated tools in the application of different materials are summarized. This review provides knowledge of modification mechanisms regarding DLC coating and its effects on mechanical properties. For machining different materials, it provides a reference to make a suitable selection and design of DLC coating to obtain better machining performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Carbon and Carbon-Based Composite Thin Films/Coatings: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Published Papers (12 papers)

Editorial

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI