Feature Paper Collection in Plasma Coatings, Surfaces & Interfaces
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Editors
Dr. Bocong Zheng
Dr. Bocong Zheng
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Website
Collection Editor
Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Diamond Technologies, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Interests: plasma simulation; plasma surface engineering; gas discharge physics; physical vapor deposition; radio frequency discharges; magnetized plasmas
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Topical Collection Information
Dear Colleagues,
You are invited to submit your work to this Feature Paper Collection on Plasma, which focuses on low-temperature plasma theory and applications. Low-temperature plasmas are widely used for manufacturing semiconductor devices, tribological coatings, displays, solar panels, and many more technical products. On one hand, fully understanding plasma behavior requires the combined effort of simulation and diagnostics. Accurate simulation of plasmas, especially at low pressures (<100 mTorr), is computationally extensive due to the requiements to resolve the fastest temporal process and the finest spatial behavior of electrons. On the other hand, industry production has continuously driven the development of more efficient plasma sources and processes. Some particular challenges include large-area coatings at high frequencies, material-induced restriction to the process temperature, and capability to tune coatings’ microstructures. This feature Paper Collection aims to introduce the latest experimental, computational, and theoretical developments in the field of low-temperature plasma, through a series of original work and review articles from leading researchers around the world.
Potential topics include but are not limited to:
- Modeling and diagnostic methods of plasma discharges;
- Fundamental understanding of plasma behavior;
- Plasma-enhanced coatings and structures;
- Plasma-surface interactions;
- Novel plasma-based thin film deposition and material synthesis technology;
- Implementation of plasma processing for research and industrial applications.
Dr. Qi Hua Fan
Dr. Bocong Zheng
Collection 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 collection 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.
Published Papers (4 papers)
Open AccessReview
Modern Innovations and Applications in Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coatings on Aluminum, Magnesium, and Titanium
by
Angus G. McCarroll and Pradeep L. Menezes
Viewed by 93
Abstract
Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is an electrochemical surface modification technique for producing dense oxide layers on valve metals. This review compiles the various modifications to the PEO process that have been used to improve the produced coatings and make them suitable for specific
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Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is an electrochemical surface modification technique for producing dense oxide layers on valve metals. This review compiles the various modifications to the PEO process that have been used to improve the produced coatings and make them suitable for specific applications, with a focus on examples of aluminum, magnesium, and titanium substrates. An overview of the PEO process is given, highlighting the various process parameters and their effects on the final surface. The challenges with light metals that motivate the use of surface modifications are summarized, along with some of the other modifications that attempt to overcome them. Two broad categories of modifications to the PEO process are presented: in situ modifications, influencing the properties of the coating during its formation, and ex situ modifications, augmenting the properties of an already-formed coating. Finally, specific examples of applications for modified PEO processes are discussed, including battery, biomedical, water treatment, and energy production applications.
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Open AccessArticle
Feasible Exploration Study of Anti-Silicon Element Corrosion Coating for C/C Composites
by
Haijiang Yu, Huiyong Yang, Deteng Wang, Yixin Xiao, Lianyi Wang, Zhi Chen, Wei Li, Ruiying Luo and Juntong Huang
Viewed by 353
Abstract
This study investigates the fabrication of a ZrSiO
4-based coating (ZSO coating) on substrate surfaces using atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) technology, with ZrSiO
4 as the feedstock material. A comprehensive characterization of the coating systems was conducted, including an in-depth analysis of
[...] Read more.
This study investigates the fabrication of a ZrSiO
4-based coating (ZSO coating) on substrate surfaces using atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) technology, with ZrSiO
4 as the feedstock material. A comprehensive characterization of the coating systems was conducted, including an in-depth analysis of phase composition and a systematic evaluation of the effects of spray thickness and heat treatment temperature on phase evolution, microstructural development, and the resulting properties. The coatings’ resistance to silicon corrosion and the associated failure mechanisms were thoroughly examined. The key findings reveal that the plasma-sprayed coatings form a multiphase system composed of ZrSiO
4, along with the decomposition products of ZrO
2 and SiO
2. Optimal performance was observed within a critical thickness range of 154–240 μm. Post-deposition heat treatment at 1500 °C significantly improved the integrity of the coatings, as evidenced by a marked reduction in crack density and porosity, leading to substantial enhancement in densification. The coatings demonstrated outstanding performance in the high-temperature silicon corrosion tests, maintaining structural integrity after 4 h of exposure to molten silicon and its oxides at 1500 °C. Notably, the coatings effectively prevented the penetration of silicon into the C/C substrate, preserving strong interfacial adhesion without the formation of permeable cracks. Furthermore, post-corrosion analysis showed that the surface reaction products could be easily removed, underscoring the coatings’ exceptional protective capability for the underlying C/C substrate.
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Open AccessArticle
The Effects of Surface Plasma Carburization on the Microstructure and Molten Salt Corrosion Resistance of Ta
by
Xuming Lv, Dongbo Wei, Xianpu Huang, Zeyu Gao and Pingze Zhang
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 880
Abstract
In order to enhance the corrosion resistance of tantalum, the double-glow plasma (DGP) metallurgy technique was used to prepare TaC coatings on the tantalum. The morphology, microstructure, and phase constituents of TaC were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
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In order to enhance the corrosion resistance of tantalum, the double-glow plasma (DGP) metallurgy technique was used to prepare TaC coatings on the tantalum. The morphology, microstructure, and phase constituents of TaC were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nano-indentation tests were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the coatings. The specimens were immersed in NaCl-KCl molten salt at 830 °C to evaluate their corrosion resistance. The results showed that the coating prepared by the DGP technique has a thickness of approximately 5 µm, the diffusion layer has a thickness of 2.5 µm, and the nano-indentation hardness is measured to be 17.27 GPa. The high-temperature stable ceramic phase enhances the high-temperature oxidation resistance of pure tantalum (Ta), while the dense corroded surface and oxidation products improve the anti-corrosion property of TaC coatings.
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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle
Influence of Bilayer Thickness on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of (Ti-Al)N/MoN Nanostructured Hard Coatings Deposited by Cathodic Arc Ion Plating
by
Muhammad I. Yousaf, Tushagu Abudouwufu, Bing Yang, Alexander Tolstoguzov and Dejun Fu
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1600
Abstract
Deposition of (Ti-Al)N/MoN multilayered coatings was carried out through a cathodic ion-plating system in an argon and then nitrogen atmosphere. Bilayer thickness (Λ) of all the samples were achieved, from 22 to 104 nm, by organizing substrate holder rotational speed (SRS). To obtain
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Deposition of (Ti-Al)N/MoN multilayered coatings was carried out through a cathodic ion-plating system in an argon and then nitrogen atmosphere. Bilayer thickness (Λ) of all the samples were achieved, from 22 to 104 nm, by organizing substrate holder rotational speed (SRS). To obtain the optimum properties of the (Ti-Al)N/MoN coatings, the Ti and Al ratio was maintained at a level of 1:1. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy were utilized to analyze the crystal structure and morphology of the coatings. Mechanical and tribological properties were examined by nanohardness and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The preferred orientation of the (Ti-Al)N/MoN nanoscale multilayer films was TiAlN (200) and MoN (200), which had face centered cubic (fcc) and hexagonal structures, respectively. The hardness increased with the decrease in Λ (104 nm to 26 nm), and then it increased. The highest hardness of 37 GPa was revealed at Λ = 26 nm, whereas the least wear rate of 8.09 × 10
−7 mm
3/N.m was attained at Λ = 22 nm. Wear rate, roughness, and coefficient of friction were decreased with decreasing bilayer period. EDS results showed that Al and Ti contents were almost the same in all samples, as per design of the experiment.
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