Thin, Ultra-Thin Films and 2D Materials

Dear Colleagues

The special issue of ‘Thin Films, Ultra-Thin Films and 2D Materials’ includes the latest developments and most emergent research of the engineering, processing and application of thin films, ultra-thin films coatings and 2D material.  The low-dimensional state of materials and novel processing and synthesis techniques has resulted in an unprecedented development of complex, multi-functional materials with a broad set of properties including: magnetic, electronic, bioactive, mechanical, electrochemical, thermal, optical, radiative, and their combination, among many others. The ability to control both thin-film surfaces and the interface with their substrates has expanded a wide class of materials including metals, metal chalcogenides, metallic alloys, ceramics, polymers, and carbon-based compounds depending on their application. Surface engineering has become a field of interest for complex thin films as they provide enhanced properties at the terminating material interface with their environment. For example, wearable or implantable devices/systems have an increased demand which can be met with suitable materials and processes of thin films. Innovation in the synthesis, processing and correlation to their function and properties by advanced characterization is the focus of this special issue. Experts in the fields of chemistry, physics, engineering, biochemistry and materials science are cordially invited to contribute to this special issue as original research articles, short communications and reviews. Any aspect of the topics presented are welcome for submission.

The formation of thin-film coated surfaces with functionalization for high stability and activity has been explored widely in this aspect. The thin film changes the surface interactions of the newly produced facet from the bulk substrate properties. Thin films are a layer of material usually made of thickness in the range of nanometer monolayer (ultra-thin film) or several micrometers (thin film). The synthesis processes involving appropriate atomic, molecular, or ionic species, transport of such species to the bulk substrate via medium and condensation of these species on the substrate to produce a solid film, either directly or by a chemical or electrochemical reaction, are being constantly improved. Controlling nucleation and growth process, the methods by which thin films are formed on a surface, are a focus. The properties of thin films which has beneficial outcomes are the improvements in interfacial fracture energies, low roughness affecting the surface plasmons at the interface, optical properties, mechanical properties, electrical properties, diffusion barriers, adhesion providers and friction reduction. The various parameters of coating surfaces and new improved techniques to engineer surface properties will be discussed in this issue.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a group of nanostructured low dimensional crystals with only one or very few atoms of thickness. The framework of 2D material comprises of nearby atoms which are connected via covalent bonding in the same plane as the layered 2D materials, while weak van der Waals interactions stacks the interlayers together. These material class have layer-depending properties such as high carrier mobility, high conductivity, high Young’s modulus, high mechanical strength, as well as high anisotropy between the in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical properties, ultra low weight, transduction properties, and long spin diffusion length. 2D material is an important class of compounds that has taken a momentous leap in research with variable applications. One of the focus of this special issue will be to investigate the effect of molecular dynamics and the physical parameters in the layers of 2D materials which are corroborative towards their surface properties.

This issue aims at providing a complete overview of the various aspects of current research on this field and how they uplift our standard of living with state-of-the-art applications. The affect of the properties of thin film, ultra thin film and 2D materials has great potential in fabricating the next generation devices like microelectronic devices, flat panel displays, sensors, optoelectronic, optical coatings, batteries, strain sensors, piezoelectric devices, biosensors, ferroelectricity, spintronics devices, flexible electronics, nanogenerators, nanoelectromechanical devices, etc. An understanding of the chemical dynamics and the physical parameters and how to control them will help us understand thin films and 2D material more successfully and is the focus of this issue.

The editors are encouraging of the latest research in this field which would be featuring the recent advancements and the future prospect in the field of surface engineering and material science.

Prof. Dr. Jean Paul Allain
Dr. Teresa Aditya
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• 2D material
• thin coating
• ultrathin films
• surface coating
• nanoparticles
• nanotechnology
• surface chemistry
• surface molecular dynamics
• biomedical application
• energy application
• miscellaneous application