Novel Coatings for Cultural Heritage Protection

Dear Colleagues,

The protection of cultural heritage from the complex of environmental factors affecting surface integrity is one of the main issues in dealing with preservation. In the framework of the sustainable management of cultural heritage, protection is a priority. However, finding solutions complying with basic compatibility, effectiveness, and durability is a great challenge for conservation science, and essential contributions in this regard may arise from cooperation between disciplines in different scientific domains. Recent progress in material science and nanosciences has promoted new research in the conservation field, and novel layers for surface protection, with enhanced functionalities, have been explored. Such coatings have been found to rely on advanced materials, obtained through the application of new synthesis routes and innovative technologies, which include new organic and inorganic products, along with original hybrid systems and nanocomposites that are based on multiple components and often able to address several functions.

This Special Issue aims to focus on developments, trends, and innovations in surface protective coatings for different materials, including stone, brick, and mortar, relevant in cultural heritage, promoted by interdisciplinary research. The topics of interest include but are not limited to coatings targeted for:

Hydrophobic, super-hydrophobic, and water/oil repellent actions;

Biocidal and antifouling functions; and

Self-cleaning, depolluting, and anti-graffiti properties.

You are invited to submit contributions in the form of research papers, communications, or reviews dealing with design, synthesis, and mechanisms of effect of new functional products, coating procedures, and mechanisms of interaction with the substrates, coating properties, performances, and durability issues, with special attention to field assessment and monitoring procedures and methodologies in real conditions. In particular, we encourage the submission of research focusing on tailored preparative and analytical strategies, standardization, and tests for the study of the characteristics and properties of nanoparticle-based coatings, as well as long-run performances and their implications for the durability and safety of nanostructured material surfaces.

Dr. Angela Calia
Dr. Maria Lucia Curri
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. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.

• cultural heritage
• surface protection coating
• advanced coating materials
• organic, inorganic and hybrid functional products
• nanomaterials and nanocomposites