Polymer-Based Thin Films and Coatings: Analysis, Preparation and Applications
A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Functional Polymer Coatings and Films".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2026
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Polymer-based thin films and coatings constitute a pivotal class of advanced materials, driving significant technological innovations across a spectrum of fields, including next-generation electronics, sophisticated optics, advanced biomedical engineering, and durable corrosion protection. The realization of their exceptional performance and tailored functionality is critically dependent upon the precise manipulation of their fundamental characteristics, namely film thickness, morphology, chemical composition, and surface physicochemical properties.
This Special Issue, titled "Polymer-based Thin Films and Coatings: Analysis, Preparation, and Applications," is dedicated to showcasing the most recent and significant advancements across the entire lifecycle of these materials—from fundamental preparation to cutting-edge applications.
The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Preparation and Synthesis: Novel techniques for depositing polymer films, including spin coating, dip coating, self-assembly, vapor deposition, and additive manufacturing methods.
- Analysis and Characterization: Advanced methods for analyzing film properties, such as thickness measurement, structural morphology (AFM, SEM), chemical composition (XPS, FTIR), mechanical properties (nanoindentation), and surface energy.
- Functional Coatings: Anti-corrosion, thermal conductivity, anti-fouling, self-healing, and protective layers.
- Electronic and Optical Films: Dielectrics, thermal interface materials, organic semiconductors, waveguides, and flexible electronics.
- Biomedical Devices: Drug delivery systems, bio-interfaces, and implant coatings.
- Membranes and Separations: Films for filtration, gas separation, and fuel cells.
- …….
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Zhengbai Zhao
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
- polymer-based thin films
- polymer-based coatings
- polymer composite
- functional and smart coatings/films
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