Special Issues

Coatings publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Advanced Sol–Gel Coatings: From Materials to Applications
edited by
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 454 | Submission Open
Keywords: sol– gel synthesis; material characterization; coating applications; optical devices; multifunctional coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Recent Innovations in Nanostructured Coatings for Sustainable Energy Applications
edited by
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 339 | Submission Open
Keywords: sustainable energy; nanostructured materials; self-healing coatings; anti-corrosion coatings; thermal coatings; graphene coatings; molecular structure; intermolecular interactions; charge transfer
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Synergistic Effects of Coatings and Carbon Black on Surface Performance and Durability
edited by Norbert M. Nemes
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 314 | Submission Open
Keywords: carbon black; coatings; thermoelectrical; surface area; nanostructured materials; thermal coatings; carbon black synthesis; carbon black characterization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): Technology and Applications
edited by
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 245 | Submission Open
Keywords: hard and wear-resistant coatings; CVD nanocomposite coatings; superhard materials; high-temperature and oxidation resistance; microstructural characterization; wear testing and layer optimization; pre- and post-coating treatments
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Surface Protection of Pavements: New Perspectives and Applications
edited by , Wei Zhang and Yi Zhang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 226 | Submission Open
Keywords: anti-slip properties; disease detection; conservation design; bitumen coatings; micro-surfacing; thin-layer covering; regeneration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Aspects in Colloid and Interface Science)
Novel Protective Coatings on Anti-Oxidation, Anti-Wear, and Corrosion Resistance Properties
edited by Hui Dong, Hailong Yao and Bangyan Zhang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 162 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface technology; additive manufacturing; oxidation resistance; corrosion performance; wear resistance; mechanical behaviour; theoretical modelling; high-throughput analysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Technologies and Processes That Involve Surface Interaction or Successive Coating Processes for Additive Manufacturing submission deadline 30 Sep 2025 | Viewed by 112 | Submission Open
Keywords: additive manufacturing; advanced materials; smart materials; functional gradient materials; lattice structures
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Biopolymer Thin Films: Functionalization Techniques and Applications
edited by
submission deadline 1 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 155 | Submission Open
Keywords: biopolymers; thin films; sensors; electrosnics; packaging; wound dressing; membranes
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Advances and Trends in Edible Films and Coatings
edited by Adriano do Nascimento Simões, Andréa Monteiro Santana Silva Brito and Glória Maria Vinhas
submission deadline 10 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4901 | Submission Open
Keywords: antimicrobial and antioxidant coating; edible nanocoating; bioactive films; biopolymeric films; biodegradable materials; application and drying of edible coating
(This special issue belongs to the Section Coatings for Food Technology and System)
Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials
edited by
submission deadline 10 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1850 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface treatment; coatings; mechanical properties; microstructure characterization; strengthening and toughening mechanism
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Self-Lubricating Polymer Composites for Wear and Friction Applications
edited by Gabriele Baiocco
submission deadline 10 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 273 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymeric composite; lubrication; wear; tribology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Optical Thin Films: Preparation, Application and Development
edited by
submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 24 articles | Viewed by 71561 | Submission Open
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Trends and Advances in Anti-Wear Materials and Coatings
edited by and Juan Wang
submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2163 | Submission Open
Keywords: wear; friction; lubrication; anti-wear materials and coatings; metal matrix composites; hard materials and coatings; protective coatings
Superhydrophobic Coatings, 2nd Edition submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2103 | Submission Open
Keywords: superhydrophobic surfaces and coatings; water-repellent surfaces and coatings; superoleophobic surfaces and coatings; oil-repellent surfaces and coatings; anti-biofouling
Effect of Heat Treatment on Structural and Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials/Coatings
edited by Xiaoyong Zhang, and Ning Dang
submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1505 | Submission Open
Keywords: high-performance metallic materials; high-performance metallic coatings; microstructure evolution mechanisms; heat treatment; mechanical properties
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Friction and Lubrication of Engineering Coatings and Materials
edited by
submission deadline 15 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 519 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymer/ceramic/carbon-based coatings; hybrid coatings; microstructure; lubricating; wear
(This special issue belongs to the Section Tribology)
Advances in Next-Gen Food Contact Films and Coatings with Cold Plasma Technology
edited by Israel Sifuentes-Nieves, Pamela C. Flores-Siva, Ernesto Hernández-Hernández and José Hernandez-Gamez
submission deadline 18 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 139 | Submission Open
Keywords: cold plasma; hydrophobic; fillers; composites; antimicrobial activity; active films; morphology; shelf-life; coatings
Oxidation, Wear, Corrosion Behaviors and Activated Bonding Properties of Coatings Deposited on Metals submission deadline 20 Oct 2025 | 27 articles | Viewed by 52969 | Submission Open
Keywords: wear and corrosion resistance; protective corrosion coatings; activated bonding properties; microstructure
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Recent Progress on Functional Films and Surface Science
edited by , Duan Bin and Li Jiang
submission deadline 20 Oct 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 13877 | Submission Open
Keywords: anticorrosive coatings; heat insulating or conducting coatings; electronic or ionic conducting coatings; passive cooling coatings; electromagnetic shielding coatings; antimicrobial coatings; heat-resistant coatings; photothermal coatings; hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings; smart coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Coatings as Key Materials in Catalytic Applications
edited by
submission deadline 20 Oct 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 8674 | Submission Open
Keywords: photo-catalytic; electro-catalytic; tribo-catalytic; degradation of organic pollutants; splitting of water; reduction of CO2; coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Advances in Electrodeposited Composite Coatings: Diversity, Applications and Challenges submission deadline 20 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 6787 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface modification; composite; modelling; thin films; sensors; electrochemical process
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Epitaxial Thin Films: Materials and Applications submission deadline 20 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2400 | Submission Open
Keywords: thin films; epitaxial thin films; chemical deposition; chemical vapor deposition; precursor solution; functional oxide film
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Recent Developments in the Microstructure and Properties of Alloy Coatings by Different Preparation Methods
edited by Shineng Sun and Haifeng Tan
submission deadline 22 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 110 | Submission Open
Keywords: protective corrosion coatings; anodic oxidation; biomedical applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
New Developments of Protective Coatings, Organic Polymers, and Surface Analysis: 2nd Edition
edited by
submission deadline 24 Oct 2025 | 11 articles | Viewed by 26032 | Submission Open
Keywords: organic coatings; nanocomposite film; electrodeposition; corrosion protection; electrochemical methods; corrosion inhibitor; surface analysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Recent Developments in the Microstructure and Properties of Coatings submission deadline 24 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 76 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; microstructure of coatings; properties of coatings; corrosion resistance; phosphate layer; coated alloys
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Thin-Film Synthesis, Characterization and Properties
edited by
submission deadline 25 Oct 2025 | 25 articles | Viewed by 61690 | Submission Open
Keywords: Surface engineering; Coatings; Vapor deposition; Surface characterization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Surface Modification, Repairing and Forming of Metallic Materials by Additive Manufacturing
edited by
submission deadline 25 Oct 2025 | 12 articles | Viewed by 14879 | Submission Open
Keywords: rail transit; additive manufacturing; coatings; repairing; lightweight of parts
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Advanced High Entropy Alloy Materials and Films: Properties and Applications submission deadline 25 Oct 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 5149 | Submission Open
Keywords: high-entropy alloys corrosion applications; automotive and engineering applications; characterization; additive manufacturing; density functional theory; CALPHAD
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Functional Coatings for Cultural Heritage Conservation submission deadline 25 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3449 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; non-invasive analysis; cleaning; monitoring
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Recent and Future Applications of Coatings for Semiconductors
edited by and Lei Wang
submission deadline 25 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2527 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional coating; photoelectric performance; thermoelectric property; dielectric property; ferroelectric property; photoelectric detection coating; dielectric layer coating; photoelectric device; solar cell absorbing layer coating; insulating coating; solar transparent conductive layer coating; electrolyte coating
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Solid Surfaces, Defects and Detection, 2nd Edition
edited by
submission deadline 25 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 563 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings for solid surfaces; vision detection for surface defects; defect classification; artificial intelligence of vision detection; non-destructive testing
Recent Developments in Interfaces and Surfaces Engineering submission deadline 28 Oct 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 12846 | Submission Open
Keywords: interfaces engineering; surface engineering; interphases; mechanical behavior; multi-scale modeling; adhesive bonding
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Research Progress and Prospect of Functional Thin Films & Hard Protective Coatings
edited by Min Zhang
submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1538 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional thin films and devices; hard protective coatings; advanced deposition techniques; surface treatment & modification; computations and modeling for materials design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Material Surface Friction and Corrosion
edited by Hong Li and Chao Yang
submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1126 | Submission Open
Keywords: corrosion evolution and protection mechanisms; robust superhydrophobic surface; surface treatments; rare earth functional coating; extreme environments
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Alloy/Metal/Steel Surface: Fabrication, Structure, and Corrosion
edited by and Fandi Meng
submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 873 | Submission Open
Keywords: metal/alloy; surface film/coatings; corrosion; electrochemistry; anti-corrosion organic coatings; functional coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
New Advances in Friction-Based Coatings, Modification and Welding Technology
edited by Xiaotian Ma and
submission deadline 30 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 197 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface engineering; functional coatings; friction surface; friction deposition repairing; friction deposition modification; microstructure and properties; wear resistance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Advanced Surface Technology and Application submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 16 articles | Viewed by 26311 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface engineering; novel surface  material systems; external field assisted  surface technology; repair; novel  surface technology  methods; simulation analysis; monitoring and control of  surface technology  processes; frictional wear and lubrication
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Advanced Technology in Environmental Remediation and Resource Utilization, 2nd Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 14 articles | Viewed by 26041 | Submission Open
Keywords: environmental remediation; resource utilization; advanced oxidation process; environmental catalysis; environmental function material
(This special issue belongs to the Section Environmental Aspects in Colloid and Interface Science)
Anti-Corrosion Coatings: New Ideas to Make Them More Effective
edited by
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 11088 | Submission Open
Keywords: anti-corrosion coatings; high-performance coatings; coating testing; coating reliability; multifunctional coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Research and Conservation of Ancient Lacquer
edited by Xing Zhao, Qiuju He and Na Wang
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3576 | Submission Open
Keywords: ancient lacquer; traditional craft; scientific research; conservation; restoration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
New Insights into Earthen Site Conservation: Methods, Techniques, Management, and Key Case Studies
edited by Stephen S.Y. Lau, , and
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1875 | Submission Open
Keywords: earthen site; heritage science; conservation; architectural surface; archaeological surface
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
New Materials as Protective Coatings for Different Substrates (Wood, Stone, Paper, and Textile): Synthesis, Characterization Techniques and Their Applications submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1135 | Submission Open
Keywords: new materials (new sustainable materials); characterization; protective coatings; case studies; analytical techniques; durability assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Corrosion and Coatings: Advances in Protection and Degradation Studies
edited by
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 917 | Submission Open
Keywords: corrosion; coatings; degradation mechanisms; protective coatings; material science; corrosion engineering; surface treatment; durability and reliability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Advanced Functional Cement-Based Materials for Smart Applications
edited by , Kunyang Yu and Zilong Wang
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 868 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced functional cement-based materials; phase-change material; fiber coating; infrastructure construction
Surface Engineering and Coating Technologies for Improving the Structural Integrity of Metallic Materials
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 335 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface engineering; coatings; structural integrity; enhanced hardness and wear resistance; corrosion resistance; fatigue performance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Innovative Thin Films and Coatings for Solar Cells submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 178 | Submission Open
Keywords: novel energy materials; vacuum coatings; non-vacuum coatings; thin film solar cells; perovskite solar cells; organic solar cell; hybrid solar cells; dye-sensitized solar cells
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Novel Research on Optical Materials and Coatings
edited by and Luis V. Rodriguez de Marcos
submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 167 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical characterization; thin films; photonics and nanophotonics; optical coatings; transparent conductive oxides
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Organic and Polymeric Materials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications
edited by , Hangyu Dong and Jun Zhao
submission deadline 10 Nov 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 8426 | Submission Open
Keywords: organic coatings; polymeric coatings; organic additives for coatings; new synthesis strategies for coating materials; polymer aging; nano additives; processing technologies; coating properties; barrier' anti-corrosion; shilding
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Surface Treatments and Coatings for Asphalt and Concrete
edited by and Jun Wang
submission deadline 14 Nov 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 3292 | Submission Open
Keywords: protective corrosion coatings; extreme environments; performance modeling; recycled concrete; asphalt; fiber-reinforced polymer
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Advances of Hard Material Processing Technologies for Surface and Interface Improvement submission deadline 15 Nov 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 10564 | Submission Open
Keywords: hard material; surface integrity; surface treatment; tool wear; cooling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Laser Coatings)
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