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Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications

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A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Thin Films".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2025) | Viewed by 20149

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mohamed El Garah

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UR LASMIS - Antenne de Nogent, Pôle technologique de Sud Champagne, Université de Technologie de Troyes - UTT, 26 rue Lavoisier - Bât. B, 52800 Nogent, France
Interests: high entropy alloys; magnetron sputtering; physical vapor deposition; thin films materials; ceramics; environment
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Prof. Dr. Frederic Sanchette

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Guest Editor

ICD LASMIS, Université de Technologie de Troyes, Antenne de Nogent, Pôle Technologique de Sud-Champagne, 52800 Nogent, France
Interests: high entropy alloys; energy; environment; fuel cells; PEMFC; SOFC; chemical vapor deposition; physical vapor deposition; ceramic, hydrogen; corrosion; thin film materials; nanomaterials and nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Surface coating are used as a key strategy to increase the durability of various materials. By coating materials with films accompanied by excellent properties, their original low-quality can be replaced and improved. Currently, various coatings are under intense investigation to produce materials with superior performances for potential applications in the energy and transportation fields. The choice of the deposition technique to ensure high-quality functional coatings is a challenge.

In the last decade, multielement coatings have shown their potential in developing innovative materials. Their functionalization is a primordial strategy for the development of applications, meeting industrial needs. For example, tools used in machining processes are coated with hard films to increase their performance. Other coatings have shown their potential against various degradation factors such as wear, corrosion and oxidation. As such, providing functional coatings with excellent physicochemical properties has become a high priority in the metallurgy field.

We cordially invite you to submit your works to this Special Issue entitled “Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications”. This Special Issue aims to present experimental and theoretical research describing recent advances in the synthesis of functional multielement coatings, their composition and design, physicochemical properties obtained through the use of different techniques as well as their performances, which could lead to the development of potential applications in energies and transports.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews can be proposed. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Production and characterization;
Oxynitrides coatings;
High-entropy films;
Surface characterization;
Magnetron sputtering (DCMS and HiPIMS);
Arc deposition;
Laser cladding;
High-temperature oxidation;
Thermal stability;
Mechanical and tribological coatings;
Corrosion;
Wear;
Nuclear industry;
Biomedical;
Aerospace industry.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mohamed El Garah
Prof. Dr. Frederic Sanchette
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.

Keywords

thin films
high-entropy alloys
oxidation
wear
corrosion
physical vapor deposition (PVD)

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 188 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue: Advanced Multielement Coatings, Deposition, Materials, Applications

by Mohamed El Garah and Frederic Sanchette

Coatings 2023, 13(1), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13010131 - 10 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2722

Abstract

Improving the properties of materials used in engineering and in industry is the main axe of materials science [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

11 pages, 754 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combustion Wave Properties of Normal Zone Propagation Induced by Micro-Sized Magnetic Cumulation in Thin YBaCuO Films

by Oleg Kiprijanovič and Linas Ardaravičius

Coatings 2025, 15(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15020134 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 661

Abstract

The process of normal (N) zone propagation in three superconducting YBaCuO thin films with different Pearl length values was theoretically studied. The point appearance of the N zone was found to result from powerful energy release caused by micro-sized magnetic cumulation. Solutions of the heat equation for hot electrons, diffusing to ~15 nm depth into the edge of the Pearl length, were obtained for the two length cases. The hot electron thermalization induced a transition to N state at the aforementioned depth due to fast exceeding of T_c, followed by flash high temperature growth. In the third case, we considered a process of crack branching when the superconducting current concentrated at the tips, followed by the transition to N state caused by exceeding j_c. The superfast reaction of the superconductor allowed it to restore the energy loss at the Pearl length in all cases. This explains the step propagation process of the N zone with velocities up to 2.7 × 10³ and 1.1 × 10³ m/s in the first and second cases. In the third, the propagation can reach the detonation wave velocity of about 1 × 10⁴ m/s. It is concluded that the process of the N zone propagation has the character of a combustion wave. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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12 pages, 2242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extracting the Optical Constants of Partially Absorbing TiO₂ ALD Films

by Nimarta Kaur Chowdhary and Theodosia Gougousi

Coatings 2024, 14(12), 1555; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14121555 - 12 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1469

Abstract

Typical titanium oxide (TiO₂) films are transparent in the visible range, allowing for their index of refraction and thickness to be extracted by single-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) using a Cauchy model. However, TiO₂ films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) from tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium (IV) (TDMAT) and H₂O at 350 °C absorb in the visible range due to the formation of Ti-O-N/Ti-N bonds. Single-angle SE is inadequate for extracting the optical constants of these films, as there are more unknowns (n, k, d) than measurable parameters (ψ, Δ). To overcome this limitation, we combined SE with transmission (T) measurements, a method known as SE + T. In the process, we developed an approach to prevent backside deposition on quartz substrates during ALD deposition. When applying a B-spline model to SE + T data, the film thicknesses on the quartz substrates closely matched those on companion Si samples measured via standard lithography. The resulting optical constants indicate a reduced refractive index, n, and increased extinction coefficient, k, when compared to purer TiO₂ thin films deposited via a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method, reflecting the influence of nitrogen incorporation on the optical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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14 pages, 3675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Porous Ni-W Alloys Electrodeposited by Dynamic Hydrogen Bubble Template and Their Alkaline HER Properties

by Yufei Li, Linghao Li, Wenzhe Li, Linfeng Lu, Lu Tian, Yangyang Liu, Changwei Su and Weidong Tian

Coatings 2024, 14(8), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14080957 - 1 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1765

Abstract

Nickel–tungsten (Ni-W) alloys are gaining significant attention due to their superior hardness, wear resistance, anti-corrosion and electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. In this work, porous and crack Ni-W alloys with different W contents were prepared in a pyrophosphate bath. The key to forming a porous structure is a very high current density over 300 mA cm⁻². The HER activity of porous and crack Ni-W alloys was studied by means of electrochemical technologies of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel curves (Taf) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Compared with the crack Ni-W alloy, the porous Ni-W alloy exhibits improved alkaline electrochemical HER performances, which can deliver a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at 166 mV (η10) vs. RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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11 pages, 11242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Tooling on the Properties of the Surface Layer in HEA Alloy Sinters Produced by the SPS Method

by Anna Kopeć-Surzyn and Marcin Madej

Coatings 2024, 14(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14020186 - 31 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1039

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study on the Spark Plasma Sintering of High-Entropy Alloys (HEAs) using atomized alloy powder. The sintering process was conducted within a graphite matrix at a predetermined optimum temperature of 1050 °C. The resulting material exhibited a density close to the theoretical value. Hardness tests and microstructural observations revealed the impact of the graphite tool used during the sintering process, particularly in the near-surface layer. Chemical and phase composition analyses indicated the formation of chromium carbides in the near-surface layer, leading to the depletion of FCC phase grains in chromium and alterations in the shape and size of these grains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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11 pages, 3217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Shielding Performance of Gamma Ray Shielding Tungsten Polymer Composite with LBL-Type Layered Structure

by Seon-Chil Kim

Coatings 2024, 14(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14010036 - 27 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2675

Abstract

Lead has conventionally been the primary material for shielding radioactive isotopes in medical contexts. In response to environmental concerns, our study proposes an eco-friendly alternative—a gamma ray shielding material utilizing tungsten. Unlike prior research, in our study, the shielding performance through a laminated structure is evaluated, employing a randomly stacked arrangement of tungsten particles. The shielding product was developed by electrospinning a tungsten and polyurethane polymer mixture, with precise control over the radiation speed and time. The irregular stacking of tungsten particles is expected to reduce incident radiation intensity through scattering and absorption. Radiation shielding experiments on isotopes (^99mTc, ¹⁸F, and ¹³¹I) compared our material to standard lead at varying distances. For ^99mTc, at a 0.1 m distance, our 1.0 mm thick material exhibits a shielding performance of 67.54%, surpassing that of a 0.25 mm lead plate (58.95%) and matching that of a 0.50 mm plate (69.24%). These findings demonstrate the promising potential of our tungsten-based material in nuclear medicine, proving its efficacy as a shield for radioactive isotopes. Our research introduces an eco-friendly alternative to lead-based shielding in medical settings, showcasing the effectiveness of our tungsten-based material in reducing incident radiation intensity. The demonstrated outcomes position it as a viable option for enhancing safety in nuclear medicine applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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20 pages, 3596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Corrosion Behavior in Saline Solution of Electrodeposited Nanocomposite Zn-CeO₂ Coatings Deposited onto Low Alloyed Steel

by Loïc Exbrayat, Christelle Rébéré, Rémy Milet, Emilie Calvié, Philippe Steyer and Juan Creus

Coatings 2023, 13(10), 1688; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13101688 - 26 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1696

Abstract

Zn-CeO₂ nanocomposite coatings were deposited onto mild steel substrates by electrodeposition process. Our study highlights the effect of ceria nanoparticles embedded into a metallic matrix on the corrosion behavior in saline environment. The experimental results show that the ceria incorporation and dispersion depend on the particles concentration in the electrolyte. High concentrations of particles favor agglomeration and adsorption of agglomerates on the surface of the zinc coating. A slight improvement of the corrosion resistance compared to pure electrodeposited zinc coatings is observed. The beneficial effect seems to be dependent on the dispersion of the nanoparticles embedded inside the mela matrix. The distribution of nanoparticles seems to be the key-parameter influencing the corrosion behavior, permitting to improve the corrosion behavior during extended immersion test. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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14 pages, 7804 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Yttrium Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Refractory TiTaZrHfW High-Entropy Films

by Mohamed El Garah, Loïc Patout, Abdelhakim Bouissil, Ahmed Charai and Frederic Sanchette

Coatings 2023, 13(8), 1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13081380 - 7 Aug 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2000

Abstract

Refractory high-entropy films (RHEFs) are a new type of high-temperature material with great prospects for applications due to their superior properties. They have the potential to replace nickel-based superalloys in order to develop a new generation of materials that can be used under extreme conditions. (TiTaZrHf)_100−xY_x RHEFs are prepared using the magnetron sputtering technique. The yttrium (Y) content varies from 0 to 56 at.%. XRD analysis indicates the formation of an amorphous phase in Y-free films, while new phases are formed after the addition of Y. The results are confirmed by TEM analysis, revealing the formation of nano-grains with two phases L1₂ and Y-P6/mmm structure. With an increasing Y content, the grain size of the nano-grains increases, which has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the films. Hardness decreases from 9.7 GPa to 5 GPa when the Y amount increases. A similar trend is observed for the Young’s modulus, ranging from 111.6 to 82 GPa. A smooth and featureless morphology is observed on the low Y content films, while those with a larger Y content appear columnar near the substrate. Furthermore, the phase evolution is evaluated by calculating the thermodynamic criteria ΔH_mix, ΔS_mix, Ω, and δ. The calculation results predict the formation of new phases and are then in good agreement with the experimental characterization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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14 pages, 8927 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphological Evolution of La₂NiO₄ Coatings Synthesized by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering (RMS) at High Pressure as Cathode for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (IT-SOFC)

by Xiaolei Ye, Huan Luo, Ming Hou, Pierre Bertrand, Alain Billard and Pascal Briois

Coatings 2023, 13(6), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13061113 - 16 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1803

Abstract

This work focuses on the evolution of the morphology and structure of La₂NiO₄ (namely, LNO) coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering (RMS) with subsequent annealing processes. The LNO coatings start to crystallize at 600 °C, and the LNO with K₂NiF₄ structure was formed at 700 °C. A small amount of La₃Ni₂O₇ appeared in the La₂NiO₄ coatings at 1100 °C. Interestingly, the LNO coatings realize the transformation from dense to different porous morphologies due to the annealing process. The LNO coating with abundant pores was formed after annealing treatment at 1000 °C for 2 h. This porous morphology can be stably maintained after short-term thermal stability experiments at 750 °C for 120 h. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement of the LNO/YSZ/LNO symmetrical half-cells shows that the LNO cathode coating after annealing at 1000 °C for 2 h exhibits lower polarization resistance (R_pol) and activation energy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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15 pages, 5990 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Synergistic Effect of Electrochemical Texturing and MoSeC Coatings on the Frictional Behaviour of Lubricated Contacts

by Manoj Rajankunte Mahadeshwara, Fátima Rosa, Todor Vuchkov, Luís Vilhena, Amílcar Ramalho, Pooja Sharma and Albano Cavaleiro

Coatings 2023, 13(4), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13040692 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1780

Abstract

The materials used for the piston cylinders of automobile engines, or the ring and tappets of various mechanical components, are continuously experiencing lubricated sliding motions. These surfaces are prone to damage due to the various tribological aspects of friction and wear. Hence, enhancing their surface properties would contribute to increasing their life and saving energy and resources. For many decades surface texturing and surface coating technology have been studied to improve the surface tribological behaviours of the materials. In the present study, the steel surface was textured with electrochemical processing (ECP) and post-coating with transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) using a molybdenum-selenium-carbon (MoSeC) film. A comparative study was conducted to investigate the synergistic effect of surface texturing and coating to improve frictional properties on the steel surface. The block-on-ring experiments were performed under lubricated conditions to understand the improvement of COF at different lubrication regimes. It has been seen that the MoSeC-coated circular patterns exhibited improvements in the frictional properties at all the lubricated conditions if compared with smooth surfaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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Review

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35 pages, 12805 KiB

Open AccessReview

Focused Review on Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C₃N₄) in Corrosion and Erosion Applications

by Eman M. Fayyad, Fatma Nabhan and Aboubakr M. Abdullah

Coatings 2024, 14(12), 1596; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14121596 - 20 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1265

Abstract

Inorganic, organic, and metallic coatings have received much attention due to their great protection applications in oil and gas industries and their development through finding eco-friendly materials for the coatings. Their unique structure, low cost, and facile synthesis are some of the few properties of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) materials that make them useful in a number of applications. Moreover, g-C₃N₄ offers exceptional chemical and thermal stability and a high specific surface area, and it is well known for its outstanding biocompatibility and biological activity. Numerous investigations have reported various types of C₃N₄-incorporated coatings that have enhanced corrosion, wear, and mechanical resistance properties. This review highlights the new applications of g-C₃N₄ (standalone, in an alloy, or composite) as a coating in the wear and corrosion protection fields. Furthermore, a strong focus on the structure, unique properties, and preparation technique of g-C₃N₄ are summarized, especially in metallic coatings, which is a highly novel trend. Lastly, various important issues based on current research are proposed for future prospective work that should be further studied in this attractive research topic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multielement Coatings: Deposition, Materials and Applications)

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