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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Trends and Advances in Anti-Wear Materials and Coatings
edited by and Juan Wang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 5004 | Submission Open
Keywords: wear; friction; lubrication; anti-wear materials and coatings; metal matrix composites; hard materials and coatings; protective coatings
Advanced Thin Films of High-Entropy Alloys
edited by , and Wenkai Jiang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2269 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced thin film; high-entropy alloy; fabrication method of thin films; applications of thin film; micro- and nano-electronic devices; functionalization of thin films; characterization of thin films; functional coatings; gradient thin films; novel thin-film electrode
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Self-Cleaning and Anti-Fouling Coatings
edited by Liming Liu and Wei Tong
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2236 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; self-cleaning; anti-fouling; micro-nanostructures; durability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactive Coatings and Biointerfaces)
Advanced Coatings for Fuel Cells
edited by Dongxu Cui and Zewei Lyu
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2018 | Submission Open
Keywords: fuel cells; electrode materials; carbon deposition; fuel conversion; biomass utilization; characterization of material and microstructure
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Plant-Based Composite Films and Coatings: Green Techniques, Natural Products and Sustainability to a Healthier Future submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1993 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant-based composite films; biodegradable active packaging; intelligent coatings; green extraction techniques; food by-products; bioactive compounds; circular economy in food packaging; sustainability; ultrasound-assisted extraction; food packaging
(This special issue belongs to the Section Coatings for Food Technology and System)
Metal Additive Manufacturing and Remanufacturing submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1612 | Submission Open
Keywords: additive manufacturing; remanufacturing; surface engineering; laser cladding; thermal spraying; metal matrix composites; repair and restoration; functional coatings; sustainable manufacturing; high-performance alloys
Advances in 3D Printing for Functional Coatings and Materials submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1549 | Submission Open
Keywords: 3D printing; additive manufacturing; functional coatings; surface engineering; thin films; microstructured surfaces
Laser Coatings and Surface Engineering
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 967 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser surface engineering; laser cladding; pulsed laser deposition (PLD); laser additive manufacturing; functional coatings; surface modification; thermal spray coatings; laser– material interactions
(This special issue belongs to the Section High-Energy Beam Surface Engineering and Coatings)
Superhydrophobic Surfaces: Durability Enhancement and Performance Optimization
edited by Yong Li and Mingming Liu
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | Viewed by 877 | Submission Open
Keywords: superhydrophobic surfaces; multifunctional coatings; durability; anti-icing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Intelligent Monitoring, Control and Manufacturing in Coating Technologies
edited by Shanhui Liu
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 840 | Submission Open
Keywords: roll-to-roll process; coatings technology; intelligent monitoring
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
3D Printing Technology for Polymer Composites
edited by Baohui Shi, Yuanyuan Shang, Kun Zhang and Yuanyuan Wu
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 766 | Submission Open
Keywords: 3D-printed polymer composites; additive manufacturing; material performance & characterization; functional integration; extreme environment applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Advanced Functional Coatings: Synthesis, Characterization, and Multifunctional Applications in Energy, Antimicrobial, and Corrosion Resistance
edited by Yun Zhao, Wei Wang and Xuejin Wang
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 736 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional coatings; surface modification; coating deposition technologies; multifunctional applications; electrochemical performance
Functional Coatings for Biosensor Applications
edited by and Inga Morkvėnaitė
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | Viewed by 724 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional coatings; biosensors; artificial intelligence; nanostructured films; polymer nanocomposites; surface functionalization; wearable sensors
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Coatings for Biomedicine and Bioengineering)
Smart and Functional Coatings Advancements in Synthesis, Characterization and Application
edited by and Davide Palamara
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 613 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced coatings; material science and technology; functional materials; industrial applications; new material concepts; energy materials; sustainable materials; innovative technologies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Advances in Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) for Surface Engineering
edited by
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | Viewed by 474 | Submission Open
Keywords: plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO); low-voltage PEO (LV-PEO); surface engineering; multifunctional coatings; lightweight alloys
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Shape Memory Alloy Films and High-Entropy Alloy Films
edited by
submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | Viewed by 416 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings/films; thin-film technologies; structure; properties and applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Surface Modification of Composite Coatings and Films: From Fundamental Design to Market-Driven Applications submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | Viewed by 206 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; composite coatings; surface modification; surface engineering; functional coatings; thin films; interface engineering; industrial coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Solar Cells with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | Viewed by 199 | Submission Open
Keywords: coating; film; photovoltaic device; single-walled carbon nanotube– silicon interface; spectroscopy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
Advanced Oxide Thin Films and Coatings: From Fundamentals to Applications submission deadline 30 Sep 2026 | Viewed by 186 | Submission Open
Keywords: oxide thin films; functional coatings; thin film deposition; structure– property relationships; ferroelectric oxides; transparent conductive oxides; energy materials; electronic devices; protective coatings; advanced characterization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Mechanical Properties and Tribological Behavior of Alloy/Coatings, 2nd Edition
edited by
submission deadline 10 Oct 2026 | 10 articles | Viewed by 21757 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioinspired hierarchical structures; graded architecture; multilayers; tribology; friction and wear
(This special issue belongs to the Section Tribology)
Novel Coatings for Enhanced Water Desalination and Treatments submission deadline 10 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 1047 | Submission Open
Keywords: water desalination coatings; advanced surface modifications; eco-friendly coating; artificial intelligence for coating optimization; regression analysis for coating performance prediction
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Fatigue and Wear Mechanisms of Different Surface Coatings for Industrial Application submission deadline 15 Oct 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 4987 | Submission Open
Keywords: wear-resistant coatings; modified metallic surfaces; mechanical failure; friction; wear; damage mechanisms
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
New Trends in Films and Surfaces for Wastewater Treatment
edited by , and Diego Martínez Carrillo
submission deadline 15 Oct 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2295 | Submission Open
Keywords: film; surfaces; interfaces; water treatment; adsorption; organic pollutants; inorganic pollutants; biological pollutants; coatings; electrocoagulation; nanocomposites
Advanced Coatings and Interfacial Engineering for Sustainable Civil Engineering Materials
edited by , Xiaopeng Huang and Qian He
submission deadline 15 Oct 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 686 | Submission Open
Keywords: sustainable materials; coatings; nanomaterials; extreme environment; artificial intelligence
Surface Modification, Matrix Modification and Interface Science in Composites
edited by
submission deadline 15 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 216 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface modification; matrix modification; interface science; polymer– matrix composites; ceramic– matrix composites; carbon– matrix composites; metal– matrix composites; extreme environments
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Advances in Oxide Films and Coatings for Corrosion Protection of Metals submission deadline 15 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 188 | Submission Open
Keywords: protective oxide; chemical passivation; barrier effect against corrosion; self-healing effect; corrosion inhibition
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Multifunctional Composite Coatings: Design and Performance
edited by , and Guiqiang Liang
submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1320 | Submission Open
Keywords: composite; multifunctionality; self-healing materials; organic– inorganic hybrids; smart coatings; sustainable materials; advanced manufacturing; coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)
Environmentally Friendly Thin Films and Coatings for Packaging submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 692 | Submission Open
Keywords: bio-based coatings; biodegradable films; nanocellulose; barrier properties; sustainable coating formulations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Coatings for Food Technology and System)
Development and Application of Photocatalytic Coatings and Composites submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 528 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; photocatalysis; air and water treatment; composite materials; pollutant removal
Multi-Functional Liquid-Repellent Coatings: Innovative Approaches for Protecting Surfaces
edited by Defeng Yan, Jiyu Liu and Weihao Pan
submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 400 | Submission Open
Keywords: coating; liquid-repellent; preparation technologies; performance characterization; coating durability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Liquid–Fluid Coatings, Surfaces and Interfaces)
Microstructure, Surface Topography and Tribological Properties of Coatings submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 384 | Submission Open
Keywords: microstructure; topography; surface modification; tribology; tribological compatibility
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Laser Technologies: Laser Deposition Thin Films and Coatings Formation
edited by and
submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 362 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser technologies; pulsed laser deposition; thin film growth mechanisms; thin films and film coatings; thin film structures; optical; electronic; optoelectronic; photovoltaic and thermoelectric structures
(This special issue belongs to the Section Thin Films)
Antibacterial and Osteogenic Coatings for Implants
edited by
submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 216 | Submission Open
Keywords: antibacterial coatings; implant surface modification; biomaterials; biomechanics; bioactive coatings; nanostructured surfaces; infection-resistant implants; bone– implant interface; drug- and ion-releasing coatings; biomedical implants
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Coatings for Biomedicine and Bioengineering)
Novel Trends in the Characterization of Painting Materials and Their Alterations submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 212 | Submission Open
Keywords: painting materials; painting layers; non-destructive analytical techniques; microanalytical techniques; portable spectroscopy; in-situ analysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Advances in Deposition Technologies for Thin Films and Coatings submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 210 | Submission Open
Keywords: Thin-film deposition; Coating technologies; Physical and chemical vapor deposition; Functional and protective coatings; Surface Engineering
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Renewable Resources in Films and Coatings Technologies: Part II: Protein and Protein-Based Edible Films and Coatings
edited by , , Florin Leontin Criste, and
submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 204 | Submission Open
Keywords: protein-based edible films and coatings; protein functionalization and modification; sustainable biopolymers; coating and encapsulation technologies; protein-based film formation mechanisms; green packaging materials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactive Coatings and Biointerfaces)
Cellulose Materials and Films: Synthesis, Characterization and Application
edited by Carlos Fernando Castro-Guerrero and
submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 172 | Submission Open
Keywords: cellulose; nanocellulose; cellulosic coatings for corrosion; cellulosic binding agents; cellulose films
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Thermal Barrier Coatings: From Materials to Applications
edited by Zifan Zhao
submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 165 | Submission Open
Keywords: thermal barrier coatings (TBCs); degradation mechanisms; processing– microstructure– property relationships; lifetime prediction; gas-turbine engines
(This special issue belongs to the Section Ceramic Coatings and Engineering Technology)
Mechanical Performance of Coatings for Welding Interfaces
edited by Yuebing Li
submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 150 | Submission Open
Keywords: welding interfaces; mechanical properties; fatigue and fracture; failure mechanisms; structural integrity
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Surface Engineering by Laser Technology: State of the Art submission deadline 20 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 148 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser– matter interaction; PLD; ultrafast laser processing; MAPLE; nanostructured surfaces; functional coatings
(This special issue belongs to the Section High-Energy Beam Surface Engineering and Coatings)
Advancements in Surface Engineering, Coatings and Tribology submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 7717 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; surface engineering; tribology; wear resistance; surface modification
(This special issue belongs to the Section Tribology)
Advances in Alloy Coatings: Tailored Performance for Modern Applications
edited by , and Hui Zhang
submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4695 | Submission Open
Keywords: alloy coatings; corrosion resistance; advanced deposition techniques; multifunctional coatings; durability and performance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Advances in Asphalt and Concrete Coatings
edited by , Mayzan Maher Isied, Chenguang Shi and
submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2265 | Submission Open
Keywords: asphalt modification; concrete coatings; reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP); sustainable pavements; recycling agents; warm-mix asphalt; emulsified asphalt; pavement performance evaluation; continuum damage mechanics; fracture mechanics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Innovative Coatings for Enhancing the Corrosion Resistance and Durability of Reinforced Concrete Structures submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2166 | Submission Open
Keywords: coatings; concrete cover; reinforced concrete structures; durability; corrosion; protection
(This special issue belongs to the Section Corrosion, Wear and Erosion)
Characterization and Applications of Bioactive Coatings
edited by and
submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1662 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioactive coatings; surface engineering; stimuli-responsive systems; biomedical applications; clinical translation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactive Coatings and Biointerfaces)
Surface Treatment and Coating of Additively Manufactured Components
edited by and Fei Cheng
submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1545 | Submission Open
Keywords: optimization of additive manufacturing process parameters for surface quality; binder jetting; directed energy deposition; material extrusion; and powder bed fusion; abrasive flow machining; chemical polishing/milling; laser polishing; shot/shock peening; and vibratory finishing; coatings for aerospace; aesthetic; and biomedical purposes; coating and material characterization for adhesion; abrasion; friction; lubrication; mechanical performance; and wear; the modelling and simulation of post-manufacturing processes
(This special issue belongs to the Section High-Energy Beam Surface Engineering and Coatings)
Advances in Surface Welding Techniques for Metallic Materials
edited by Wenyong Zhao, Xiangbo Liu and Xiaolin Bi
submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1477 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface welding engineering; laser cladding; wire arc additive manufacturing; advanced surface coatings and materials; heat transfer and fluid flow
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Asphalt Interface Engineering and Advanced Functional Coatings for Sustainable Pavements
edited by Peng Yin, Baofeng Pan, Xiangqian Ye, and
submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1429 | Submission Open
Keywords: asphalt interface engineering; functional coatings; interfacial regulation; pavement durability; sustainable pavements; surface modification
Laser Additive Manufacturing of Coatings: Microstructure, Properties, and Applications
edited by Wenbin Gao, Taotao Li and Shengbin Zhao
submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1411 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser cladding; laser metal deposition; additive manufacturing; corrosion; wear
(This special issue belongs to the Section High-Energy Beam Surface Engineering and Coatings)
Advanced Nanomaterials, Films, and Coatings for Energy and Sustainability submission deadline 25 Oct 2026 | Viewed by 786 | Submission Open
Keywords: nanomaterials; films; coatings; hydrogen production; supercapacitors
(This special issue belongs to the Section Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage)
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