Advances in Metal Composite Coatings and Films: Microstructure, Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties

Dear Colleagues,

The continuous advancement of modern technologies has created an increasing demand for metal-based coatings and composite films with tailored multifunctional properties. These systems are essential for enhancing material performance in aggressive environments, improving wear, corrosion, and oxidation resistance, and enabling new functionalities such as self-healing, antibacterial, or catalytic behavior.

The proposed Special Issue, “Advances in Metal Composite Coatings and Films: Microstructure, Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties,” aims to bring together cutting-edge research focused on the design, synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of metal composite coatings and films.

This issue will highlight innovative processing routes, including electrodeposition, magnetron sputtering, physical and chemical vapor deposition, thermal spraying, sol–gel methods, laser cladding, and additive manufacturing for fabricating composite and hybrid coatings. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how processing parameters influence microstructure and, consequently, the physicochemical and mechanical properties that determine coating performance. Molecular-scale insights, in situ characterization, and computational modeling are also encouraged to strengthen the understanding of structure–property–performance relationships.

In addition, this Special Issue will address the integration of metal composite coatings in energy, biomedical, aerospace, and environmental applications, with particular attention to sustainability, durability, and performance optimization. Both experimental and theoretical studies, as well as comprehensive reviews, are welcome to provide a holistic perspective on this rapidly evolving field.

This Special Issue seeks to consolidate recent progress and emerging trends in the development of advanced metal composite coatings and films. It encompasses both fundamental and applied studies on the synthesis, processing, and characterization of metallic composites and hybrid coating systems, emphasizing the relationships between composition, microstructure, and functional properties.

We invite researchers and industry professionals from materials science, surface and interface engineering, chemistry, metallurgy, tribology, and applied physics to contribute original articles, short communications, reviews, and case studies addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Development and optimization of metal–matrix and hybrid composite coatings
• Advanced deposition and surface modification techniques
• Structure–property correlation studies at multiple length scales
• Physicochemical characterization and in situ monitoring of coating formation
• Mechanical, tribological, and corrosion performance under extreme conditions
• Diffusion, adhesion, and interfacial phenomena in multilayer or gradient coatings
• Functional and nanocomposite films for energy, biomedical, and catalytic applications
• Modeling, simulation, and data-driven design of coatings
• Durability, failure analysis, and surface protection mechanisms
• Sustainable processing methods and recyclability considerations

We encourage the submission of original research articles, communications, and comprehensive reviews addressing advances in processing techniques, microstructural evolution, surface and interface phenomena, property optimization, and performance under real operating conditions. Studies exploring the integration of metal composite coatings in energy, biomedical, aerospace, and environmental systems, with a focus on sustainability, durability, and innovative functionalities, are particularly welcome.

Prof. Dr. Ali Khalfallah
Prof. Dr. Zohra Benzarti
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.