Advances in Protective, Decorative, or Functional Metal Oxide Layers

Dear Colleagues,

A metal oxide layer is a thin layer or coating of an oxide onto a specific surface. Such a coating may be protective, decorative or functional. Most metals form oxide layers when they are exposed to the atmosphere, and the nature of this oxide depends on the metal and the conditions under which it is oxidized. On the other hand, the growth of metal oxides onto any kind of surface is very common, and a huge amount of scientific research has been dedicated to this subject. There are a many deposition techniques dedicated to the realization of metal oxide thin films, from brush or spray deposition to ultra-high-vacuum techniques such as MOCVD, LASER deposition techniques etc.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the most recent advancements regarding metal oxide layer deposition, characterization and application as protective, decorative or functional coatings onto any kind of substrate. The Issue covers all types of metal oxides with electrical, optical, mechanical, sensing, piezoelectric, superconducting, catalytic, photocatalytic, thermoelectric, phase-transforming, magnetic, ferroic, and multiferroic properties, and includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Thin and thick films;
• Nanostructured coatings;
• Nanostructured coating systems;
• High surface area systems;
• Fabrication technologies and characterization techniques;
• Surface and interfaces processes;
• Transport phenomena;
• Design and simulation models;
• Functional devices of any kind.

Dr. Cristina Pachiu
Dr. Octavian Buiu
Dr. Mirela Suchea
Guest Editors

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