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Crystals
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Advanced Surface Engineering Materials: Characterization and Properties
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Advanced Surface Engineering Materials: Characterization and Properties

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Crystalline Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 6719

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eleonora Bolli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Istituto di Struttura della Materia, ISM-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo Stazione, Italy
Interests: surface characterizations; nanostructured materials; nanotechnology; ultra-thin films; spectroscopy; microscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessandra Varone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via del Politecnico, 1-00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: materials characterizations; X-ray diffraction; scanning electron microscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As is well known, the surface of a solid influences many of its physical, chemical and mechanical properties, such as the electronics, optics, catalytic activity, biocompatibility, resistance to corrosion, etc. These surface properties can be manipulated and improved through chemical composition, thermomechanical treatments and morphological modifications, and a vast amount of resources are therefore being invested in studying engineered and nanostructured surfaces, an emerging area of research applied in the fields of sustainable and renewable energies, sensors, and biomedical engineering, among numerous others.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect relevant research contributions on surfaces modified by the deposition of crystalline ultra-thin films and functionalized coatings as well as surface properties changes induced by heat, plasma and laser treatments.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Surface morphology and structure;
  • Surface modifications and treatments;
  • Techniques for manufacturing engineered surfaces;
  • Thin coatings;
  • Surface-sensitive techniques;
  • Structural and chemical surface properties.

Dr. Eleonora Bolli
Dr. Alessandra Varone
Guest 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 special issue 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. Crystals 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.

Keywords

  • surface characterization
  • ultra-thin films
  • surface treatments
  • functionalized surface
  • SPM techniques

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 5735 KiB  
Article
Room-Temperature O3 Detection: Zero-Bias Sensors Based on ZnO Thin Films
by Eleonora Bolli, Alice Fornari, Alessandro Bellucci, Matteo Mastellone, Veronica Valentini, Alessio Mezzi, Riccardo Polini, Antonio Santagata and Daniele Maria Trucchi
Crystals 2024, 14(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14010090 - 18 Jan 2024
Viewed by 799
Abstract
ZnO thin films with a thickness of 300 nm were deposited on Si and Al2O3 substrates using an electron beam evaporation technique with the aim of testing them as low cost and low power consumption gas sensors for ozone (O [...] Read more.
ZnO thin films with a thickness of 300 nm were deposited on Si and Al2O3 substrates using an electron beam evaporation technique with the aim of testing them as low cost and low power consumption gas sensors for ozone (O3). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the film surface morphology and quantify the roughness and grain size, recognized as the primary parameters influencing the gas sensitivity due to their direct impact on the effective sensing area. The crystalline structure and elemental composition were studied through Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Gas tests were conducted at room temperature and zero-bias voltage to assess the sensitivity and response as a function of time of the films to O3 pollutant. The results indicate that the films deposited on Al2O3 exhibit promising characteristics, such as high sensitivity and a very short response time (<2 s) to the gas concentration. Additionally, it was observed that the films display pronounced degradation effects after a significant exposure to O3. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Surface Engineering Materials: Characterization and Properties)
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14 pages, 6304 KiB  
Article
Surface Characterization of AZ31 Alloy after Long-Term Immersion in Simulated Body Fluid
by Ekaterina Pakhomova, Alessandra Varone, Alessio Mezzi, Alessandra Fava, Cristina Manis, Francesco Loy, Alessandra Palombi and Giacomo Cao
Crystals 2023, 13(12), 1692; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13121692 - 15 Dec 2023
Viewed by 824
Abstract
The aim of the research campaign was to simulate in vitro the typical conditions for the corrosion in biofluid of a femoral bone implant manufactured with AZ31 alloy. The samples were immersed in biofluid (alpha-MEM) for time intervals of up to 56 days. [...] Read more.
The aim of the research campaign was to simulate in vitro the typical conditions for the corrosion in biofluid of a femoral bone implant manufactured with AZ31 alloy. The samples were immersed in biofluid (alpha-MEM) for time intervals of up to 56 days. For each immersion time, the chemical compositions and morphologies of the samples were studied with SEM, EDX, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The weight losses of the samples caused by corrosion were also measured. The results highlighted the formation of calcium phosphate crystals on the surface of the samples. This type of coating is well-known for its excellent corrosion resistance and for its ability to accelerate tissue regeneration. The deceleration of the corrosion process, observed after 28 days of immersion in biofluid, confirms the anti-corrosive effect of the coating that was spontaneously formed during the immersion tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Surface Engineering Materials: Characterization and Properties)
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11 pages, 3200 KiB  
Article
In Situ Growth of Mg-Fe Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) Film on Titanium Dental Implant Substrates for pH Regulation in Oral Environments
by Yuliu Li, Francesco Gianfreda, Carlotta Danesi, Patrizio Bollero, Anita Ermini, Roberto Pizzoferrato and Eleonora Nicolai
Crystals 2023, 13(12), 1636; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13121636 - 26 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 869
Abstract
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) consist of two-dimensional, positively charged lamellar structures with the ability to host various anions in the interlayer spaces, which grants them unique properties and tunable characteristics. LDHs, a class of versatile inorganic compounds, have recently emerged as promising candidates [...] Read more.
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) consist of two-dimensional, positively charged lamellar structures with the ability to host various anions in the interlayer spaces, which grants them unique properties and tunable characteristics. LDHs, a class of versatile inorganic compounds, have recently emerged as promising candidates for enhancing osseointegration. A suitable alkaline microenvironment is thought to be beneficial for stimulating osteoblasts’ differentiation (responsible for bone matrix formation) while suppressing osteoclast generation (responsible for bone matrix disintegration). LDHs are prone to adjusting their alkalinity and thus offering us the chance to study how pH affects cellular behavior. LDHs can indeed modulate the local pH, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress levels, factors that profoundly influence the behavior of osteogenic cells and their interactions with the implant surface. Herein, we deposited Mg–Fe LDH films on titanium substrates for dental implants. The modified Ti substrates was more alkaline in comparison to the bare ones, with a pH higher than 8 after hydrolysis in an aqueous environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Surface Engineering Materials: Characterization and Properties)
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12 pages, 4583 KiB  
Article
Effect of Anodization Time on the Adhesion Strength of Titanium Nanotubes Obtained on the Surface of the Ti–6Al–4V Alloy by Anodic Oxidation
by Itzel Pamela Torres-Avila, Roberto M. Souza, Alexis Chino-Ulloa, Pablo Alfredo Ruiz-Trabolsi, Raúl Tadeo-Rosas, Rafael Carrera-Espinoza and Enrique Hernández-Sánchez
Crystals 2023, 13(7), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13071059 - 05 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1046
Abstract
In this work, titanium oxide nanotubes (TNTs) were formed by anodic oxidation on the surface of a Ti–6Al–4V alloy. An electrolyte based on ethylene glycol (EG) and ammonium fluoride (NH4F) was used. Different anodizing periods (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and [...] Read more.
In this work, titanium oxide nanotubes (TNTs) were formed by anodic oxidation on the surface of a Ti–6Al–4V alloy. An electrolyte based on ethylene glycol (EG) and ammonium fluoride (NH4F) was used. Different anodizing periods (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min) with a constant potential of 60 V were established. The morphology of the TNT array was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adhesion strength of the TNTs to the Ti–6Al–4V surface was evaluated using nanoscratch tests. The critical load of the different TNT layers was determined from the analysis of the groove of the nanoindenter path. It ranged from 0 mN for the samples exposed to 10 min of anodization to 47.0 ± 3.0 mN for samples exposed to 50 min. These results indicate the TNT layers formed at 50 min presented the best substrate adhesion among the specimen tested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Surface Engineering Materials: Characterization and Properties)
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13 pages, 4483 KiB  
Article
Preparation of a Graphene-Enhanced Hydroxyapatite Film on Dolomitic Marble by the Sol-Gel Method
by Feng Wang, Di Li, Yaoqi Gu and Shuya Wei
Crystals 2023, 13(4), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13040642 - 09 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1271
Abstract
The preparation of continuous hydroxyapatite film on stone is a promising method of protecting marble from erosion. However, many methods negatively affect the calcium in the substrate and forming of struvite on the dolomite surface, leading to a heterogeneous coating and low efficiency. [...] Read more.
The preparation of continuous hydroxyapatite film on stone is a promising method of protecting marble from erosion. However, many methods negatively affect the calcium in the substrate and forming of struvite on the dolomite surface, leading to a heterogeneous coating and low efficiency. In this study, a continuous hydroxyapatite coating on dolomitic marble was achieved from graphene enhanced Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles as the calcium precursor using the sol-gel method. The morphology and the structure of the film was evaluated by a field emission scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS), an optical microscope, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and analytical techniques. Moreover, the color and the contact angle measurements, as well as the simulated acid rain test and freeze–thaw treatment, were performed to assess the chromatic aberration, hydrophilicity, reliability, and durability of the coating. A suppositional combination model among hydroxyapatite, graphene quantum dots, and dolomite were suggested based on structural similarities between the support material and components of the functional coating. The integrality and efficiency of the hydroxyapatite film was improved by compositing with graphene quantum dots. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Surface Engineering Materials: Characterization and Properties)
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12 pages, 3924 KiB  
Article
Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Treatment of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy for Biomedical Applications: The Influence of Applied Current on Corrosion Resistance and Surface Characteristics
by Annalisa Acquesta, Pietro Russo and Tullio Monetta
Crystals 2023, 13(3), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13030510 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1321
Abstract
Magnesium alloys are an exciting challenge for the biomaterials field given their well-established biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, when exposed to biological fluids, their rapid degradation and hydrogen release are the main drawbacks for clinical applications. This work aimed to investigate the influence of [...] Read more.
Magnesium alloys are an exciting challenge for the biomaterials field given their well-established biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, when exposed to biological fluids, their rapid degradation and hydrogen release are the main drawbacks for clinical applications. This work aimed to investigate the influence of the current density applied during the plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treatment on the durability of an AZ31 magnesium alloy. In particular, specific interest was directed to the degradation rate undergone by the PEO coating, obtained under two different current density conditions, when exposed to Hank’s solution at 37 °C to simulate the physiological environment, employing the techniques of potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Experimental results highlighted that the plasma electrolytic oxidation technique resulted in an improvement in the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy in the test solution. The current density affected the morphology of the coating. In particular, the anodic oxide coating obtained by applying the highest current density showed a higher thickness and fewer but larger pores, while the lowest current density generated a thinner PEO coating characterized by several but smaller pores. Surprisingly, the best corrosion resistance has been exhibited by the anodic oxide coating grown at the highest current density. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Surface Engineering Materials: Characterization and Properties)
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