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A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2024) | Viewed by 24354

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Natalia V. Kamanina

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1. Vavilov State Optical Institute, Kadetskaya Liniya V.O. 5/2, 199053 St. Petersburg, Russia
2. Department of Photonics, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University (“LETI”), ul. Prof. Popova 5, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
3. Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Part of Kurchatov National Research Center, 1 md. Orlova Roshcha, 188300 Gatchina, Russia
Interests: nano- and bio-technology; nanoparticles; organic and inorganic materials; liquid crystal; refractivity; coatings; laser-matter interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to present for you roppinion the novel Special volume in the Coating journal via MDPI option in order to extend the perspective approach and scientific idea to modify the surfaces of the inorganic and orgnanic materials with good advantage. The topics of this special volume can be extensed dramatically. Different methods and methodology can be activated in this area. Different types of the nano-objects (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, Au, Ag, Lns, etc. particles) can be deposited at the materials surfaces, which provoke the change in their spectral parameters, refractive, conductive, mechanical, aquastic, and wetting characteristics. Moreover, some types of the particles deposited on the material surfaces can protect them from corrosion. Thus, in this volume some physical-chemical mechanisms responsible for the perspective coating features and new enginering methods can be shown and discussed. I hope that the materials of this Special volume will be useful for the fundamental scientists, technical researchers as well as will be possibly applied in the education process for Bacelor, Magisters, PhD-students knowleadge.

In particular, the topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Methosd and approaches to develop the classical and novel coatings;
Traditionally used and novel materials applied as the perspective coatings;
Mechanisms responsible for the spectral parameters change;
Mechanisms regarded to the mechanical characteristics modification;
Refractive and conductive features of the materials with the novel coatings;
Wetting peculiaruties of the modified materials;
Fact of the materials structuration influence on their surfaces.

Prof. Dr. Natalia V. Kamanina
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Optical materials innovative coatings
carbon nanotubes
Au, Ag nanoparticles
methods used for coatings development
PVD and CVD technique
laser oriented approach
spectral shift refractive characteristics
mechanical strength
wetting angle
corrosion interaction of irradiation with matter

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perspective Coatings Based on Structured Conducting ITO Thin Films for General Optoelectronic Applications

by Andrei Toikka, Matwei Ilin and Natalia Kamanina

Coatings 2024, 14(2), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14020178 - 31 Jan 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1848

Abstract

In many electro-optical devices, the conductive layer is an important key functional element. Among others, unique indium tin oxide (ITO) contacts take priority. ITO structure is widely used as the optical transparent and electrically conductive material in general optoelectronics, biosensors and electrochemistry. ITO is one of the key elements in the liquid crystal (LC) displays, spatial light modulators (SLMs) and LC convertors. It should be mentioned that not only the morphology of this layer structure but also the surface features play an important role in the study of the physical parameters of the ITO. In order to switch the surface properties (roughness, average tilt angle and surface free energy) of the ITO via the laser-oriented deposition (LOD) method, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were implanted. In the LOD technique, the CO₂ laser (λ = 10.6 μm, P = 30 W) with the control electric grid was used. The switching of the deposition conditions was provided via the varying electrical strength of the control grid in the range of 100–600 V/cm. The diagnostics of the surfaces were performed using AFM analysis and wetting angle measurements. The components of the surface free energy (SFE) were calculated using the OWRK method. The main experimental results are as follows: the roughness increases with a rise in the electric field strength during the deposition of the CNTs; the carbon nanotubes provide a higher level of the dispersive component of SFE (25.0–31.4 mJ/m² against 22.2 mJ/m² in the case of pure ITO); the CNTs allow an increase in the wetting angle of the 5CB liquid crystal drops from 38.35° to 58.95°. Due to the possibility of the switching properties of the ITO/CNT surfaces, these modifications have potential interest in microfluidics applications and are useful for the liquid crystal’s electro-optics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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15 pages, 10966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

PVD Black Coating for Decorative Applications

by Nadia Arrousse, Jorge Ferreira, Sandra Carvalho and Martin Andritschky

Coatings 2023, 13(11), 1838; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13111838 - 27 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2890

Abstract

PVD coatings have gained considerable attention as decorative coatings because they combine decorative with protective properties. Within the frame of this work, a black PVD coating based on chromium, carbon and oxygen was developed in a semi-industrial coating machine with four magnetrons and continuous substrate rotation. Based on the optical properties of Cr_xC_yO_z, the optical properties of the coating can be used in the design of the coating. EDX measurements point to an average composition of Cr_0.35O_0.53C_0.12 for coatings with the most interesting optical properties. XPS measurements show that the chemical state of the constituting elements changes throughout the coating thickness. Cr_xC_yO_z shows a strong columnar growth which may give origin to a rough surface structure. This effect, depending on the coating thickness, allows the deposition of black coatings with a variation of strong specular reflection (“piano black”) and diffuse reflection (“matt”) for a coating thickness variation between 1 and 5 μm. The diffusive reflection increased from almost 2% to 6% for the thicker samples whereby the specular reflection decreased from about 20% to almost 0 of the samples with a thin coating and samples with a coating thickness close to 5 μm. Within the frame of this work, we also determined the functional properties of adherence and surface energy, which show that the coating can be used in demanding applications without an additional protective topcoat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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10 pages, 380 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

E-Wave Interaction with the One-Dimensional Photonic Crystal with Weak Conductive and Transparent Materials

by Victor Belyaev, Nikolai Zverev, Aslan Abduev and Alexander Zotov

Coatings 2023, 13(4), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13040712 - 31 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1550

Abstract

The interaction of electromagnetic E-waves with one-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of weak conductive and transparent layers is studied theoretically. If the thicknesses of both the conductive and transparent layers are of the order of skin depth, then the domains of transmission and reflection appear. However, if the thickness of the conductive layers is much less than the skin depth but much more than the Debye screening radius, the resonant behavior of the optical power coefficients appears at a frequency close to the plasma frequency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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14 pages, 3105 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Water Hydrogen Bonds in the Formation of Associates and Condensates in Dispersions of Serum Albumin with Shungite Carbon and Quartz Nanoparticles

by Sergey Rozhkov, Andrey Goryunov, Vladimir Kolodey, Lyubov Pron’kina and Natalia Rozhkova

Coatings 2023, 13(2), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13020471 - 19 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2212

Abstract

The role of the network of water hydrogen bonds in the regulation of the intermolecular interaction’s responsible for colloidal stability of dispersions has been studied in order to search for general patterns of interaction between water, nanoparticles, and bio-macromolecules. Raman spectroscopy for mixed dispersions of bovine serum albumin (SA), shungite carbon nanoparticles (ShC NPs), and quartz nanoparticles (quartz NPs) was performed within the wave number range 3200–3600 cm⁻¹. The main spectral lines in this range are caused by the OH stretch vibrations of water molecules. We analyzed the state of the water hydrogen bonding network for dispersions of varied ratios of both fatty acid-containing and fatty acid-free SA macromolecules, ShC NPs, and silica NPs in the range 0.01–10 mg/mL.We used dynamic light scattering to control the sizes of the protein associates and protein associates with ShC NPs and quartz NPs. The strength of the hydrogen bonds in water depends essentially non-linearly, but in a qualitatively similar way, on the concentrations of the dispersion components. The initial strengthening of the bonds is followed by their loosening with a further increase in the concentration of the components. This is accompanied by the association of the dispersion components. We estimate the thickness of the protein corona layer as 20–25 nm for ShC NPs and 28–33 nm for quartz NPs, depending on the SA concentration. Colloidal stability of the aqueous dispersion is determined almost completely by an association of the protein with NPs. In contrast, colloidal stability of a pure protein solution is regulated by the formation of protein clusters of two main types and sizes. The association effects of SA with ShC NPs are evident in microscopic images of condensate films. The structures differ significantly for native and fatty acid-free SA in shape and size. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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17 pages, 1951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gellan Gum-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites for Electrochromic Devices

by Willian R. Caliman, Franciani C. Sentanin, Rodrigo C. Sabadini, Rodrigo H. S. Garcia, Tatiana Monaretto, Luiz A. Colnago and Agnieszka Pawlicka

Coatings 2023, 13(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13020350 - 3 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2056

Abstract

The present paper shows the results of nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (SPEs) of montmorillonite (MMT; Na⁺SYN-1) and gellan gum obtained by the solution casting method. The membrane samples were characterized by ATR-FTIR, time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, two samples were chosen and applied in small electrochromic devices (ECDs). The ATR-FTIR revealed shifts in bands of acetate and glycosidic bonds at 1032 and 1611 cm⁻¹, respectively, indicating an interaction between the gellan gum and Na⁺SYN-1. The spin–lattice relaxation time of the proton nuclei (T₁) suggests the poor dispersion of MMT in the matrix, especially above 20 wt.%. However, SEM pictures pointed to a more homogeneous surface of the nanocomposite containing 40 wt.% Na⁺SYN-1 when compared to the sample without clay. NPEs with 10 and 40 wt.% Na⁺SYN-1 were applied in ECDs, and the voltammograms showed a decrease in anodic and cathodic peaks after 2519 chronocoulometric cycles for the sample with 10 wt.% Na⁺SYN-1 and after 420 cycles for the sample with 40 wt.% Na⁺SYN-1. There was also a decrease in the charge density in both ECDs and an oscillating difference in transmittance between the colored/discolored states during the chronocoulometric cycles of the ECD with GG-MMT10. Further studies may reveal more property improvements in gellan gum nanocomposites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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13 pages, 24965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Precise Characterization of CNF-Coated Microfibers Using Transmission Electron Microscopy

by Denis V. Korneev, Irina V. Krasnikova, Sofya D. Afonnikova, Aleksey A. Vedyagin and Ilya V. Mishakov

Coatings 2023, 13(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13020256 - 21 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2134

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of fibrous materials with a hierarchical structure are of great importance for materials sciences. Among this class of materials, microfibers of different natures coated with carbon nanofibers attract special interest. Such coating modifies the surface of microfibers, makes it rougher, and thus strengthens its interaction with matrices being reinforced by the addition of these microfibers. In the present work, a series of hierarchical materials based on carbon microfibers, basalt microfibers, and fiberglass cloth coated with up to 50 wt% of carbon nanofibers was synthesized via the catalytic chemical vapor deposition technique. The initial items were impregnated with an aqueous solution of nickel nitrate and reduced in a hydrogen flow. Then, the catalytic chemical vapor deposition process using C₂H₄ or C₂H₄Cl₂ as a carbon source was carried out. A simple and cost-effective technique for the preparation of the samples of hierarchical materials for transmission electron microscopy examination was developed and applied for the first time. The proposed method of sample preparation for sequential TEM visualization implies an ultrasonic treatment of up to four samples simultaneously under the same conditions by using a special sample holder. As was found, the relative strength of carbon nanofibers coating the surface of microfibers decreases in the order of CNF/CMF > CNF/BMF > CNF/FGC. Two effects of the ultrasonic action on the carbon coating were revealed. First, strongly bonded carbon nanofibers undergo significant breakage. Such behavior is typical for carbon and basalt microfibers. Secondly, carbon nanofibers can be completely detached from the microfiber surface, as was observed in the case of fiberglass cloth. In the case of CNF/CMF material, the graphitized surface of carbon microfiber is coherent with the structure of carbon nanofiber fragments grown on it, which explains the highest adhesion strength of the carbon nanolayer coated on carbon microfibers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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12 pages, 4971 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Orientation Behavior of Nematic Liquid Crystals at Flow-Wall Interfaces in Microfluidic Channels

by Artem Bezrukov and Yury Galyametdinov

Coatings 2023, 13(1), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13010169 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2957

Abstract

This work characterizes the orientation behavior of nematic liquid crystals in pressure-driven flows of microfluidic channels at interfaces between the flow and microchannel walls. The impact of flow velocity and microchannel geometry on the orientation of liquid crystals in single-phase and two-phase flows is discussed. Polarizing optical microscopy images revealed the homeotropic orientation of liquid crystal molecules at microchannel walls at zero flow velocities, which gradually transitioned into planar alignment along the microchannel axis when the flow velocity increased in the 50 μm/s to 5 mm/s range. Liquid crystal droplets demonstrated homeotropic or planar alignment depending on the sizes of droplets and flow velocities. The polarized light pattern from homeotropically aligned droplets deposited on microchannel walls was found to be logarithmically proportional to the flow velocity in the 2 to 40 mm/s range. The revealed behavior of nematic liquid crystals at microchannel wall surfaces in dynamic flow conditions offers new tools for on-demand control of the optical properties of microfluidic devices and can contribute to the development of analytical lab-on-chip tools with internal continuous or discrete liquid crystal layers for flow characterization in microchannel confinement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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16 pages, 7199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth and Optical Properties of Ga₂O₃ Layers of Different Crystalline Modifications

by Andrey V. Osipov, Shukrillo Sh. Sharofidinov, Elena V. Osipova, Andrey V. Kandakov, Andrey Y. Ivanov and Sergey A. Kukushkin

Coatings 2022, 12(12), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12121802 - 23 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2030

Abstract

In the present work, a new method of growing layers of three main crystal modifications of Ga₂O₃, namely α-phase, ε-phase, and β-phase, with thickness of 1 µm or more was developed. The method is based on the use of two approaches, namely a combination of Ga₂O₃ growth using the hydride vapor-phase epitaxy (HVPE) method and the use of a silicon crystal with a buffer layer of dislocation-free silicon carbide as a substrate. As a result, Ga₂O₃ gallium oxide layers of three major Ga₂O₃ crystal modifications were grown, namely, α-phase, ε-phase, and β-phase. The substrate temperatures and precursor flux values at which it is possible to grow only α-phase, only ε-phase, or only β-phase without a mixture of these phases were established. It was found that the metastable α- and ε-phases change into the stable β-phase when heated above 900 °C. Experimentally obtained Raman and ellipsometric spectra of α-phase, ε-phase, and β-phase of Ga₂O₃ are presented. The theoretical study of the Raman spectra and the dependences of dielectric function on photon energy for all three phases was carried out. The vibrations of Ga₂O₃ atoms corresponding to the main lines of the Raman spectrum of the α-phase, ε-phase, and β-phase were simulated by density functional methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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11 pages, 3738 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thin Film Coatings from Aqueous Dispersion of Graphene-Based Nanocarbon and Its Hybrids with Metal Nanoparticles

by Natalia Rozhkova, Anna Kovalchuk, Andrei Goryunov, Alexandra Borisova, Anton Osipov, Alexey Kucherik and Sergei Rozhkov

Coatings 2022, 12(5), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12050600 - 28 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1902

Abstract

Shungite carbon (ShC) nanoparticles in the form of stable aqueous dispersions represent a promising solution for optical and biomedical applications. The dispersion is an interesting phenomenon from the point of view of stabilization of ShC nanoparticles and their structural constituents up to the basic structural unit, namely a graphene fragment. Herein, we used these aqueous dispersions with easily released structural components to study laser irradiation with various durations and obtain hybrids of ShC with Ag and Au nanoparticles. The main role in the stabilization of ShC nanoparticles belongs to the graphene fragments and their stacks, which display a considerable dipole moment. Newly prepared aqueous dispersions of ShC–metal hybrid nanoparticles retained the stability inherent in the original nanoparticles both of ShC and metals. Changes in the size distribution pattern of nanoparticles in dispersions upon ablation were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Raman with UV-Vis spectroscopy methods were applied to trace structural changes in ShC upon the formation of hybrid nanoparticles. Films obtained by condensation of the dispersions on glass substrates display periodic structures, as was revealed by SEM microscopy. There, the conditions under which nanoparticles lose their ability to disperse in water and retain a graphene-like structure in a film were revealed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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10 pages, 2803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Perspective Coatings for the Optoelectronic Elements: Features of the Carbon Nanotubes to Modify the Surface Relief of BaF₂ Materials

by Natalia Kamanina, Pavel Kuzhakov and Dmitry Kvashnin

Coatings 2020, 10(7), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings10070661 - 9 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3080

Abstract

It is well known that the optimization of the basic properties of materials is related not only to changes of the substance of the material itself, but can also predict the change of their surface. In this regards, the search for, and study of, new nanostructured coatings based on the laser deposition method becomes extremely promising. Here, we used a laser-oriented deposition technique in order to place carbon nanotubes in a vertical position on the BaF₂ surface to modify it. Such modification affected the increasing material transparency, connected with a decrease of the reflection via change the Fresnel losses; hydrophobicity and microhardness as well. Characteristics of the obtained material were studied via spectral analysis, AFM-method, wetting-angle measurements, microhardness estimations to support the possible covalent bonding between the carbon atoms and the interface materials atoms. Moreover, the quantum–chemical calculations completely confirmed the experimental results of the changes of electronic properties of BaF₂ substrate after deposition of the CNTs. As the results novel optimized structure based on BaF₂ is presented to be used in general optoelectronics, cosmos and laser technique as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspective Coatings for Optical Materials Modifications)

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