Advances in Perovskite Ceramics, Crystals and Thin Films

Dear Colleagues,

The perovskite crystalline system is among the most fascinating ones considering its wealth of functional properties achieved with its corner-connected anion octahedral structures. It has also played a major role in the understanding of phase transitions in solid state physics. The outstanding properties of some of its member compounds gave rise to a plethora of potential and realized applications, which are very attractive for actuators, sensors, micro and nano systems, non-volatile memories, and more recently also as catalysts and for photovoltaics. Perovskite ceramics and their applications have been studied since the Second World War, and perovskite thin films since about 35 years ago. Nonetheless, new discoveries are still being made, and our fundamental understanding is progressing with imaging tools at the nanometer scale, and atomic level simulations. We invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of the journal “Crystals” dedicated to perovskites. The aim is to combine papers on basic issues for readers starting in the field, and reviews on advanced topics giving an entry to such specializations. The introductory part will cover the rules governing the perovskite crystal structure, its chemistry and structural phase transitions in relation to basic properties. It will also include inorganic–organic hybrid perovskites, and layered perovskites. The introductory part will also include a tutorial on the synthesis of perovskite thin films treating specific issues related to the complexity of thermodynamics and chemistry. The introductory review papers will help to prepare for specific papers on advanced topics. These include, but are not limited to:

• Ceramics and single crystal perovskites;
• Epitaxial multilayer systems and their interfaces;
• Dielectric and ferroelectric properties, non-linear dielectrics, tunable capacitors, giant capacities, etc.;
• Piezoelectric properties of thin films, integration into MEMS;
• Electro–optical properties ;
• Magnetic properties;
• Multiferroics;
• Mixed electronic–ionic conductors, catalysts;
• TEM investigations for studies on structure–property relationships;
• Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics and thin films;
• Role of defects and defect engineering;
• High-Tc supraconducting films;
• Semiconducting, and photovoltaic properties;
• Water splitting;
• Thermoelectric thin films;
• Perovskite thin films for non-volatile memories.

Prof. Dr. Paul Muralt
Prof. Dr. Vasiliki Tileli
Dr. Lauren Garten
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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 2100 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.