materials-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Recent Advances and Emerging Challenges in Functional Coatings (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Thin Films and Interfaces".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 1226

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy
Interests: thermal spray; cold spray; additive manufacturing; fiber-reinforced composites; metal matrix composites; metal foams; material testing; functional materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Increasingly, advanced technological applications have led to the development of new classes of materials whose properties are fully tailored to the requirements of utilization. Above all, the necessity for components, whose characteristics vary from the bulk to the surface, has arisen. As a result, the functionalization of surfaces has become a prominent challenge in both academic research and the industrial landscape. The term “surface functionalization” refers to the act of changing the biological, chemical, or physical qualities of a surface, enhancing its ability to interact with its surrounding environment. While conventional coatings merely protect or alter a surface’s appearance, the requisite of multiple synergistic properties has led to the development of “functional coatings”.

In order to push the boundaries of knowledge concerning the present techniques, materials, and applications of functional coatings, this Special Issue will address the obstacles and critical topics related to advancing the state of the art of theoretical, numerical, and experimental methodologies. Topics that could be covered include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Advancements in coating processes and technologies;
  • Novel coating application techniques;
  • Deployment of analytical instruments in coating manufacturing;
  • Development of novel coatings materials.

Dr. Alessia Serena Perna
Guest Editor

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 treatments technologies
  • functional coatings
  • sustainable coatings
  • cold spray
  • HVAF
  • HVOF
  • weld arc
  • oxidation
  • plasma spray
  • surface modification

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

24 pages, 7231 KB  
Article
UV Light-Curable Epoxy Coatings with Natural Plant-Based Fillers—Evaluation of Antibacterial and Functional Properties
by Wojciech Żyłka, Barbara Pilch-Pitera, Katarzyna Krawczyk, Ewa Ciszkowicz, Beata Grabowska and Artur Bobrowski
Materials 2025, 18(23), 5464; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235464 - 4 Dec 2025
Viewed by 245
Abstract
This article presents the results of research on UV-curable epoxy coatings developed with selected plant modifiers such as garlic (Allium sativum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), common nettle (Urtica dioica), and privet (Ligustrum vulgare). This study aimed [...] Read more.
This article presents the results of research on UV-curable epoxy coatings developed with selected plant modifiers such as garlic (Allium sativum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), common nettle (Urtica dioica), and privet (Ligustrum vulgare). This study aimed to evaluate the influence of these natural components on the functional properties of UV-cured coatings and to assess their potential as bio-based modifiers. The coatings were formulated using Epidian® 5 epoxy resin, a safe and non-toxic material approved for food-contact applications, and cured with a commercial cationic photoinitiator. Their mechanical, surface, optical, and antibacterial properties were investigated. The results showed that all plant-based additives modified both the mechanical and esthetic characteristics of the coatings; however, garlic demonstrated outstanding antibacterial activity, achieving nearly complete inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus growth with a reduction rate of 99.998%. These findings highlight that natural modifiers, especially garlic, can serve as highly effective functional components, while future work should focus on implementing these coatings for surfaces exposed to bacteria, such as public utility items and shop, hospital, sports, and rehabilitation equipment. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 6318 KB  
Article
Study on Antibacterial Powder Coatings Based on Halloysite/Biopolymer Compounds
by Katarzyna Krawczyk, Barbara Pilch-Pitera, Michał Kędzierski, Małgorzata Zubielewicz, Izabela Kunce, Ewa Langer, Sebastian Jurczyk, Grażyna Kamińska-Bach, Ewa Ciszkowicz, Marta Przybysz-Romatowska, Damian Wojda, Leszek Komorowski and Michael Hilt
Materials 2025, 18(23), 5402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235402 - 30 Nov 2025
Viewed by 293
Abstract
This study presents an eco-friendly approach to antibacterial polyester powder coatings by incorporating hybrid additives composed of biopolymers immobilized on halloysite nanotubes. Polylysine (PLY) and quaternized chitosan (CH-Q) were used as natural antimicrobial agents, while halloysite (HAL) acted as a carrier to improve [...] Read more.
This study presents an eco-friendly approach to antibacterial polyester powder coatings by incorporating hybrid additives composed of biopolymers immobilized on halloysite nanotubes. Polylysine (PLY) and quaternized chitosan (CH-Q) were used as natural antimicrobial agents, while halloysite (HAL) acted as a carrier to improve dispersion and reduce leaching. HAL/PLY and HAL/CH-Q hybrids were incorporated into polyester coatings and evaluated for morphology, mechanical properties, water resistance, and antibacterial performance (ISO 22196). The HAL/PLY coating demonstrated a strong bactericidal effect, reducing Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by 99.9989% and 99.9993%, respectively. HAL/CH-Q showed moderate activity against E. coli (50.2323%) but high activity against S. aureus (98.6500%). Immobilization of biopolymers on the halloysite surface improved dispersion and barrier properties while enabling a silver-free antibacterial effect. The results demonstrate a sustainable strategy for multifunctional powder coatings based on naturally derived antimicrobial components. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 6713 KB  
Article
Anticorrosion Activity of Low-Zinc Powder Coating Primers Containing Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
by Barbara Pilch-Pitera, Łukasz Florczak, Dominika Czachor-Jadacka, Francesco Bellucco, Elwira Węgrzyniak-Kściuczyk, Katarzyna Daszykowska and Małgorzata Żychowicz
Materials 2025, 18(19), 4587; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194587 - 2 Oct 2025
Viewed by 506
Abstract
In this work, low-zinc epoxy powder coating primers with anticorrosive properties were developed. For this purpose, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were introduced into powder coatings. The obtained coatings were evaluated by performing the following tests: adhesion to steel, roughness, gloss, color, water contact [...] Read more.
In this work, low-zinc epoxy powder coating primers with anticorrosive properties were developed. For this purpose, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were introduced into powder coatings. The obtained coatings were evaluated by performing the following tests: adhesion to steel, roughness, gloss, color, water contact angle, salt spray, electrochemical impendance spectroscopy (EIS), and transmission scanning microscopy (TEM). The anticorrosion resistance of the powder coating primers obtained depends on the zinc and SWCNT content, as well as the degree of dispersion in the paint. The mechanism of anticorrosion activity was proposed. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop