Multifunctional Polymer Thin Films for Surface Engineering

Dear Colleagues,

The fabrication techniques covered in this Special Issue may include spin-coating, dip-coating, doctor-blading, drop-casting, layer-by-layer assembly, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and its polymeric variants (e.g., iCVD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), electrospinning, and inkjet printing for developing multifunctional polymer thin films, composite films, and nanostructured films.

The characterization of the studied materials may encompass crystal structure and molecular ordering, phase behavior, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, chemical composition and functional groups, surface energy, wettability, and functional properties. Specific characterization techniques include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Structural Analysis: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR);
• Morphological Analysis: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM);
• Compositional/Stoichiometric Analysis: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS);
• Thermal Analysis: Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC);
• Mechanical Analysis: Nanoindentation;
• Surface and Interfacial Analysis: Contact angle goniometry;
• Electrical Analysis: Impedance spectroscopy and four-point probe measurement.

Aims and Scope

This Special Issue will provide a snapshot of the latest advances in the fabrication, characterization, and applications of multifunctional polymer thin films in surface engineering. This includes, but is not limited to, stimuli-responsive materials, self-healing materials, superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic surfaces, biocompatible and antimicrobial coatings, conductive/semiconducting polymers, and organic/inorganic hybrid materials, along with their (potential) applications.

Topics of Interest

In particular, the topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advanced fabrication techniques and characterization methods for polymer thin films;
• Processing condition–microstructure–property relationships;
• Nanomechanical properties of polymer films studied via nanoindentation;
• Structural, morphological, thermal, electrical, optical, and surface functional properties of polymer thin films;
• Polymer coatings for corrosion protection, anti-icing, antifouling, and wear resistance;
• Biointerfaces and functional polymer thin films for biomedical devices, tissue engineering, and drug delivery;
• Applications of polymer thin films in flexible electronics, sensors, and actuators;
• Stimuli-responsive polymer thin films and the dynamic control of their surface properties;
• Theoretical modeling and molecular simulation for understanding film formation, structure, and property relationships.

Dr. Shuai Yang
Dr. Dawei Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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