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Nanomaterials
Special Issues
Preparation, Properties and Applications of Nanostructured Thin Films
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Preparation, Properties and Applications of Nanostructured Thin Films

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanofabrication and Nanomanufacturing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 1850

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Xiang Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Interests: thin film; mineral composite functional materials; nanomaterials and devices

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanostructured thin films represent a rapidly advancing field at the intersection of materials science, nanotechnology, and applied physics. These materials exhibit unique physicochemical properties due to their nanoscale dimensions, high surface-to-volume ratio, and tunable morphology, making them highly attractive for a wide range of applications. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in developing novel fabrication techniques, characterizing their structural and functional attributes, and exploring their potential in areas such as electronics, optics, energy, and sensing.

This Special Issue aims to gather high-quality research and review articles that highlight recent advances in the preparation, properties, and applications of nanostructured thin films. We welcome contributions focusing on innovative synthesis methods (e.g., chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, sol–gel, sputtering, and self-assembly), advanced characterization techniques, theoretical modeling, and performance evaluation in real-world applications. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, functional coatings, flexible electronics, optoelectronic devices, energy storage and conversion systems, sensors, and biomedical interfaces.

We are soliciting original research articles, communications, and comprehensive reviews that present cutting-edge findings, novel methodologies, or critical perspectives on the future direction of this exciting field.

Prof. Dr. Xiang Yu
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. Nanomaterials 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 2400 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

  • nanostructured thin films
  • thin film fabrication
  • functional coatings
  • optoelectronic devices
  • energy storage
  • sensors
  • surface characterization
  • nanomaterials
  • thin film applications

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3875 KB  
Article
CFD Investigation of the Effect of Condensation Chamber Geometry on Nanoparticle Transport in Magnetron Sputtering
by Lin Gao, Liye Zhao and Yue Dong
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100599 - 13 May 2026
Viewed by 258
Abstract
In magnetron sputtering-based gas aggregation sources, nanoparticle formation and yield are strongly influenced by the flow-regulated transport and residence time of particles within the condensation chamber. However, the effect of internal geometric parameters on flow structure and nanoparticle growth is not well understood. [...] Read more.
In magnetron sputtering-based gas aggregation sources, nanoparticle formation and yield are strongly influenced by the flow-regulated transport and residence time of particles within the condensation chamber. However, the effect of internal geometric parameters on flow structure and nanoparticle growth is not well understood. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupled with a discrete phase model (DPM) is employed to investigate how magnetron radius affects flow characteristics, particle transport, and their implications for nanoparticle formation. The results show that increasing the magnetron radius significantly enhances axial flow uniformity and suppresses vortex structures near the inlet. This shift from radial diffusion-dominated to primarily axial transport effectively reduces particle trapping and wall deposition. Furthermore, the regulation of flow structure modifies particle residence time distributions, which is considered a key factor associated with nanoparticle growth potential and size evolution in gas-phase synthesis. Larger magnetron radii promote more stable transport pathways and improve particle transmission efficiency, thereby improving particle transmission efficiency and providing more favorable conditions for nanoparticle formation. These findings indicate that geometric optimization can simultaneously enhance transport efficiency and influence the conditions potentially favorable for particle growth, providing valuable guidance for the design of high-yield nanoparticle synthesis systems. Overall, this work provides insight into how flow field characteristics influence nanoparticle transport and potential growth behavior, offering a foundation for optimizing magnetron sputtering-based nanoparticle synthesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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19 pages, 3402 KB  
Article
Hierarchical ZnO–Graphite Films Enabling Durable Antifouling and Corrosion Protection of Electrochemical Electrodes in Harsh Wastewater Environments
by Ziqi Chen, Tongyan An and Jianwei Yu
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(9), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16090547 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 589
Abstract
In microbial electrochemical coupled treatment technology, the performance of electrodes critically affects the overall efficiency of wastewater treatment systems. Electrochemical electrodes in harsh wastewater often fail due to coupled organic fouling and corrosion. Herein, hierarchical ZnO–graphite composite films are developed as durable active [...] Read more.
In microbial electrochemical coupled treatment technology, the performance of electrodes critically affects the overall efficiency of wastewater treatment systems. Electrochemical electrodes in harsh wastewater often fail due to coupled organic fouling and corrosion. Herein, hierarchical ZnO–graphite composite films are developed as durable active interfaces. Fabricated via scalable spraying, the films feature coral-like architectures composed of ZnO nanoparticles interconnected by a conductive graphite network. Characterization confirms uniform elemental integration and preserved ZnO crystallinity. The films exhibit strong hydrophilicity, facilitating a stable hydration layer for effective underwater oleophobicity. Crucially, electrochemical tests in aggressive simulated landfill leachate demonstrate significant corrosion suppression and fouling resistance. Simultaneously, the embedded graphite phase ensures stable electrical conductivity (<5% variation) over prolonged immersion. This work establishes a robust interfacial design strategy for durable electrochemical sensors in complex wastewater environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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17 pages, 2361 KB  
Communication
A New Paradigm of Magnetron Target Design
by Viktor I. Shapovalov, Daniil S. Sharkovskii, Joshua K. Zephaniah and Arseniy V. Nikolaev
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(9), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16090543 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 563
Abstract
This communication discusses the problem of depositing equiatomic metal alloy films. It is shown that this problem can be solved using a magnetron equipped with a target constructed using a new “multilayer target” paradigm. This target, sputtered in an argon environment, consists of [...] Read more.
This communication discusses the problem of depositing equiatomic metal alloy films. It is shown that this problem can be solved using a magnetron equipped with a target constructed using a new “multilayer target” paradigm. This target, sputtered in an argon environment, consists of several parallel metal plates mounted on the magnetron axis. A method based on the equality of the sputtered fluxes generated by the plates is proposed for calculating the geometric dimensions of the plates. This equality leads to a system of algebraic equations, which are proposed to be solved under the assumption of a uniform discharge current density distribution in the sputtering region of the target. The communication describes two types of targets in which the plates have slots of different shapes. In one case, the slots are shaped as sectors of a ring with a given angle. In the other, the plates are shaped as rings. As examples, the geometric dimensions of targets for a balanced magnetron system intended for the deposition of films of equiatomic Ti0.33Ta0.33Nb0.33 and Ti0.25Ta0.25Nb0.25Mo0.25 alloys are calculated. The presentation is accompanied by the results of individual experiments. This report is preliminary in nature; experimental verification is ongoing. The application of the new paradigm in magnetron target design facilitates the fabrication of films of nanostructured medium- and high-entropy alloys with specified chemical compositions, which is the central theme of the Special Issue devoted to functional nanomaterials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Properties and Applications of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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