Surface Modification, Matrix Modification and Interface Science in Composites
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 October 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: multi-scale design, preparation and service performance of functional composites, such as thermal protection materials; polymer matrix composites; functional aerogels; hydrogels and electromagnetic materials; high-throughput computation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The performance and reliability of advanced composites—spanning polymer, ceramic, metal, and carbon matrices—are critically governed by the properties of their constituent interfaces and surfaces. The inherent heterogeneity between reinforcements/fillers and matrices often leads to inappropriate interface adhesion, ultimately limiting the full potential of these materials in demanding applications across the aerospace, automotive, marine, and energy sectors, among others. The importance of surface and matrix modifications further extends to other scenarios. It particularly holds true for thermal protection materials, where the development of high-performance coatings and matrix modifiers is imperative to withstanding extreme service environments.
This Special Issue aims to collate cutting-edge research and review articles that address these fundamental challenges. It seeks to highlight innovative strategies for manipulating interfacial properties through surface and matrix engineering, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of interface science in the design of next-generation composites with tailored mechanical, thermal, and functional characteristics.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Novel surface coating/modification technologies;
- Enhancement of reinforcement/matrix compatibility;
- Design of functional and nano-engineered matrices;
- Advanced interphase characterization and modeling;
- Interface design for extreme environments;
- Multifunctional interfaces for smart composites;
- Sustainable and eco-friendly interface engineering;
- Interfacial studies in additively manufactured composites.
Dr. Zongyi Deng
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-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
- surface modification
- matrix modification
- interface science
- polymer–matrix composites
- ceramic–matrix composites
- carbon–matrix composites
- metal–matrix composites
- extreme environments
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