Latest Advances and Prospects of Coating Preparation by Electrophoretic Deposition

Dear Colleagues,

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a physical coating method that uses the electrophoresis of colloids rather than chemical processes. Therefore, it has the advantage of excluding unintended coating properties caused by chemical reactions and imparting predictable unique properties of the coating material to the surface. In recent years, EPD has been used to coat various nanomaterials on conductive and non-conductive surfaces to impart functionality, and thus, the field of application has gradually expanded.

However, many aspects of the fundamental mechanism of EPD have not yet been fully explained by the fundamental driving forces, such as electrophoretic force and van der Waals force. Therefore, it is difficult to explain the appearance of quality spikes in EPD due to tiny changes in the experimental environment, even when identical particles and surfaces are employed. In addition, although EPD is basically a coating method suitable for commercialization, applying it to fields requiring high coating reliability is difficult since forming a coating layer through physical bonding shows low durability. To overcome these drawbacks, it is vital to have a better theoretical and experimental understanding of EPD. In addition, a solution can be found by looking at the development of the latest EPD technologies applied to various applications.

In this Special Issue, we have an opportunity to understand the ongoing EPD technologies through research articles and review papers on the latest EPD methods. More specifically, first, through research papers dealing with the mechanisms of EPD, we have the opportunity to understand the essential components of EPD, such as electric field formation, electrophoretic force, colloidal properties, the deposition process, the interaction between particles and surfaces, and the durability of the coating layer. Second, we look at various methods of EPD, focusing on coating materials that are organic, inorganic, and biomaterials. In addition, we deal with methods for creating composite coating layers using two or more coating materials, controlling colloidal properties through a dispersant, and improving the coating layer's durability. Third, a variety of applications produced by using EPD are explored. Generating functional layers using EPD has been applied to the latest biomedical applications. We also examine the energy and environmental applications where EPD has traditionally been used. Applications through coatings that change surfaces' mechanical and electrical properties are also explored. In addition, we deal with EPD when used in applications for safety and protection, which have recently become an issue, including functional filters and fabrics. Finally, we cover review papers that can comprehensively examine the latest EPD trends and research results.

This Special Issue welcomes research and review articles on the following topics, without special restrictions on EPD:

Mechanisms of electrophoretic deposition:

1. Control of electric fields;
2.  Generation of electrophoretic forces;
3.  Control of colloidal characteristics;
4.  Process of deposition;
5.  Interaction of particle–particle or particle–surface;
6. Determination of coating durability;
7. Computer simulation of electrophoretic deposition, etc.

Methods of electrophoretic deposition:

1. Electrophoretic deposition of organic material;
2. Electrophoretic deposition of inorganic material;
3. Electrophoretic deposition of biomaterial;
4. Composite coating layer;
5. Use of surfactants and dispersants;
6. Control of electric fields, etc.

Applications of electrophoretic deposition:

1. Biomedical applications;
2. Energy and environmental applications;
3. Mechanical and electrical applications;
4. Safety and protection applications;
5. Filters and fabric, etc.
6. Reviews of Electrophoretic deposition:
7. Mechanisms of electrophoretic deposition;
8. Methods of electrophoretic deposition;
9. Applications of electrophoretic deposition, etc.

Dr. Youngsoo Joung
Guest Editor

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• electrophoretic deposition
• electrophoresis
• colloid
• suspension
• dispersion
• electric field
• deposition
• durable coating