The Application of 2D Nanomaterials in Enhancing the Performance of Multifunctional Coatings

Dear Colleagues,

The emergence of 2D nanomaterials, epitomized by the groundbreaking discovery of graphene in 2004, has revolutionized materials science. Over the past two decades, derivatives such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and MXenes have expanded the toolkit for engineering advanced coatings. These materials exhibit unparalleled mechanical strength, thermal stability, and tunable surface chemistry, making them ideal candidates for addressing long-standing challenges in corrosion resistance, wear protection, and multifunctional integration. Recent advances in scalable synthesis and functionalization techniques have further accelerated their adoption in industrial and biomedical coating systems, positioning 2D nanomaterials as a cornerstone of next-generation surface engineering.

This Special Issue seeks to present cutting-edge research and critical reviews that explore the intersection of 2D nanomaterials and multifunctional coatings. We aim to:

• Bridge fundamental insights into the structure–property relationships of 2D materials with their practical applications in coatings.
• Highlight innovations in synthesis, characterization, and integration strategies tailored for industrial scalability.
• Address interdisciplinary challenges, including environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and performance durability under extreme conditions.
• Submissions spanning theoretical modelling, experimental breakthroughs, and real-world case studies are encouraged.

The field is rapidly evolving, with notable trends including the following:

• Smart coatings: 2D material-enabled stimuli-responsive systems for self-healing, anti-icing, or antimicrobial functionalities.
• Hybrid architectures: Synergistic combinations of MXenes, graphene oxide, and polymers for enhanced barrier properties.
• Energy-efficient solutions: 2D nanomaterial-based coatings for thermal management, solar absorption, or triboelectric energy harvesting.
• AI-driven design: Machine learning frameworks for predicting optimal 2D material configurations in coating matrices.

We invite contributions in the following formats:

• Original Research Articles: Novel studies on the synthesis, characterization, or performance evaluation of 2D nanomaterial-enhanced coatings.
• Comprehensive Reviews: Critical analyses of historical progress, current bottlenecks, and future roadmaps.
• Short Communications: High-impact preliminary findings or methodological innovations.

Dr. Lin Gu
Dr. Xin Yuan
Guest Editors

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