Crystal Structure and Surface/Interface Interactions in Functional Materials
A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2027 | Viewed by 125
Editor
Interests: thin films; functional coatings; semiconductor materials; thermal spray coatings; structural, optical and mechanical characterization; surface engineering
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Understanding the relationship between crystal structure and surface/interface interactions is a central theme in modern materials science, particularly for the design of advanced functional materials and coatings. The atomic arrangement within a crystal not only governs bulk properties such as electronic structure, optical response, and mechanical stability, but also critically determines how materials interact at surfaces and interfaces. These interactions, in turn, play a decisive role in applications ranging from protective coatings and tribological systems to optoelectronic devices, energy conversion technologies, and biomedical surfaces.
In recent years, rapid progress in characterization techniques—such as high-resolution X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and surface-sensitive spectroscopies—has enabled deeper insight into structure–property relationships across multiple length scales. Simultaneously, advances in thin film deposition and coating technologies have made it possible to engineer interfaces with unprecedented precision. Despite these developments, a comprehensive understanding of how crystal structure influences interfacial phenomena, and how these phenomena govern material performance, remains an ongoing challenge.
This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the latest advances in the study of Crystal Structure and Surface/Interface Interactions in Functional Materials. We welcome contributions that explore both fundamental and applied aspects, with particular emphasis on establishing clear correlations between crystallographic features, surface chemistry, interface engineering, and macroscopic performance.
Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Crystal structure analysis and its influence on material properties;
- Surface and interface physics in functional materials;
- Structure–property relationships in thin films and coatings;
- Interface engineering in heterostructures and multilayer systems;
- Advanced characterization techniques for surfaces and interfaces;
- Coating technologies and their impact on interfacial behavior;
- Mechanical, optical, and thermal properties governed by interfaces;
- Tribological and corrosion behavior of coated systems;
- Functional surfaces for biomedical, catalytic, and energy applications;
- Modeling and simulation of crystal structure and interfacial phenomena.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işık
Guest Editor
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
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-anonymized 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
- crystal structure
- surface and interface interactions
- functional materials
- thin films and coatings
- interface engineering
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