Nanostructured Thin Films: Growth, Characteristics and Applications: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 14 November 2025 | Viewed by 1474

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Graduate Institute of Electronic Engineering, Cheng-Shiu University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Interests: non-volatile resistor random memory devices; ferroelectric memory devices; thin films; functional ceramics applications
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology has gradually evolved in recent years, revealing different substances that constitute nanoparticles with several important applications and interesting material properties. Nanotechnology is an applied science that studies the design, composition, properties, and applications of substances and devices at the nanoscale. Thin-film materials are thin metal substances or organic substances with thicknesses ranging from a single atom to a few millimetres. Electronic semiconductor devices and optical coatings are the main applications of thin-film technology today. Thin-film technology has a wide range of applications. Numerous studies have used different thin films for computer storage devices, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing thin-film batteries, dye-sensitized solar cells, and more. In addition, ceramic thin films have a wide range of applications. In response to the relatively high hardness of ceramic materials, thin films have been used to protect substrates from corrosion, oxidation, and wear.

This Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to collate research on nanostructured thin films, specifically regarding their growth, characteristics, and applications in various fields of technology and science. For this Special Issue, we invite contributions from leading groups in the field with the aim of providing a balanced view of the current state-of-the-art thin-film technology.

Prof. Dr. Kai-Huang Chen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanostructured
  • nanotechnology
  • nanoscale
  • thin films
  • growth
  • characteristics
  • coatings

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 10730 KiB  
Article
Oxygen Ion Concentration Distribution Effect on Bipolar Switching Properties of Neodymium Oxide Film’s Resistance and Random Access Memory Devices
by Kai-Huang Chen, Ming-Cheng Kao, Hsin-Chin Chen and Yao-Chin Wang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(6), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15060448 - 15 Mar 2025
Viewed by 399
Abstract
In this study, the bipolar resistance switching behavior and electrical conduction transport properties of a neodymium oxide film’s resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices for using different top electrode materials were observed and discussed. Different related electrical properties and transport mechanisms are important [...] Read more.
In this study, the bipolar resistance switching behavior and electrical conduction transport properties of a neodymium oxide film’s resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices for using different top electrode materials were observed and discussed. Different related electrical properties and transport mechanisms are important factors in applications in a film’s RRAM devices. For aluminum top electrode materials, the electrical conduction mechanism of the neodymium oxide film’s RRAM devices all exhibited hopping conduction behavior, with 1 mA and 10 mA compliance currents in the set state for low/high voltages applied. For TiN and ITO (Indium tin oxide) top electrode materials, the conduction mechanisms all exhibited ohmic conduction for the low voltage applied, and all exhibited hopping conduction behavior for the high voltage applied. In addition, the electrical field strength simulation resulted in an increase in the reset voltage, indicating that oxygen ions have diffused into the vicinity of the ITO electrode during the set operation. This was particularly the case in the three physical models proposed, and based on the relationship between different ITO electrode thicknesses and the oxygen ion concentration distribution effect of the neodymium oxide film’s RRAM devices, they were investigated and discussed. To prove the oxygen concentration distribution expands over the area of the ITO electrode, the simulation software was used to analyze and simulate the distribution of the electric field for the Poisson equation. Finally, the neodymium oxide film’s RRAM devices for using different top electrode materials all exhibited high memory window properties, bipolar resistance switching characteristics, and non-volatile properties for incorporation into next-generation non-volatile memory device applications in this study. Full article
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16 pages, 5470 KiB  
Article
Surface Properties of Coatings Based on Iron Amino-Functionalized Oxides Deposited on DH 36 Steel Plates for Shipbuilding
by Maria Luisa Testa, Carla Calabrese, Valeria La Parola, Cristina Scolaro, Annamaria Visco, Simone Cappello and Leonarda Francesca Liotta
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(3), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15030150 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 752
Abstract
The development of eco-friendly paint formulations is part of the transition process to more sustainable materials, which involves many industries such as offshore and shipbuilding, where the deterioration of steel in seawater is a key factor. This article aims to produce innovative coatings [...] Read more.
The development of eco-friendly paint formulations is part of the transition process to more sustainable materials, which involves many industries such as offshore and shipbuilding, where the deterioration of steel in seawater is a key factor. This article aims to produce innovative coatings and test their protective action on DH 36 steel plates. SiO2 and TiO2 were modified with amino groups and iron sites to be used as filler for the design of ecological paint formulations The antimicrobial features of both NH2 groups and iron ionic species were combined with the chemical and mechanical stability of silica and titania, with silica-based powders showing increased efficacy. The surface properties of the resulting coatings were examined by determination of thickness, water wettability, roughness, and cross-cut adhesion tests (before and after a degradation test in seawater according to ASTM D870-97 standards). Preliminary tests of the microbiological activity of the iron amino functionalized materials were carried out to monitor, as proof of concept, the growth of some bacterial strains through measurements of optical density. The findings indicate that these coatings not only provide effective corrosion protection but are promising for enhancing the durability and environmental performance of steel surfaces exposed to marine environments. Full article
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