New Research on Thin Films and Nanostructures

Dear Colleagues,

Thin films and nanostructures are at the forefront of modern materials science, driving advancements in energy, electronics, catalysis, and environmental applications. The continuous development of deposition and fabrication techniques—including pulsed laser deposition (PLD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), sol–gel methods, electrodeposition, and emerging chemical synthesis routes—has enabled precise control over material composition, structure, and properties at the nanoscale.

Thin films, typically defined as layers with thicknesses ranging from a few nanometers to micrometers, exhibit quantum confinement effects, interface phenomena, and tunable functionalities that are distinct from their bulk counterparts. The synergy between experimental and computational approaches has further accelerated the design of functional thin films for next-generation applications. Additionally, the integration of thin-film technologies into industrial processes is rapidly advancing, with significant contributions from industrial R&D laboratories shaping the future of materials development and device fabrication.

This Topic aims to provide an overview of the latest advances in thin-film research, from fundamental synthesis and characterization to their diverse applications in energy, electronics, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, we seek to offer a comprehensive overview of the synergistic integration of experimental techniques with theoretical modeling. Experimental approaches enable the synthesis, structural characterization, and functional testing of thin films, while theoretical and computational studies offer fundamental insights into growth mechanisms, electronic structure, and interfacial dynamics. This combined strategy allows for the rational design, performance optimization, and application-driven development of thin-film systems across various domains. We encourage contributions from academia and industry, welcoming original research articles, perspectives, and reviews on the following topics:

 Synthesis and Fabrication of Thin-Film-Based Devices

• Deposition Techniques: Investigating pulsed laser deposition (PLD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sputtering, sol–gel, and electrodeposition methods, with a focus on film uniformity, phase formation, and nucleation kinetics supported by growth models and real-time monitoring.
• Chemical Routes for Thin-Film Synthesis: Exploring solution-based processing, self-assembly mechanisms, and template-assisted growth, guided by chemical thermodynamics and interface chemistry predictions, alongside synthesis parameter tuning and structural/morphological analysis.
• Printing and Large-Scale Processing: Evaluating scalable techniques such as inkjet and screen printing on paper and flexible substrates, with a focus on rheological modeling of inks and performance testing of the resulting films in flexible and wearable devices.

Advanced Characterization Methods

• In situ, Ex situ, and Operando Analysis: Applying spectroscopic, microscopic, and diffraction-based methods to monitor thin-film growth, stress evolution, and crystallization processes, with interpretation aided by computational reconstruction and phase-field models.
• Interfacial and Surface Studies: Probing charge transport, chemical bonding, and defect dynamics at thin-film interfaces in hybrid systems through surface-sensitive probes and multiscale simulations of interfacial phenomena.

Applications in Energy, Catalysis, and Environmental Sustainability

• Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices: Analyzing the charge carrier mobility, energy band alignment, and stability of semiconductor films in devices such as photodetectors, sensors, and flexible electronics, with insights drawn from band structure calculations and photophysical characterization.
• Energy Conversion and Storage: Understanding charge separation and transport in thermoelectric and photovoltaic films, and ion diffusion in solid-state batteries and supercapacitors, by combining electrochemical testing with atomistic models and continuum transport simulations.
• Catalysis and Environmental Impact: Assessing photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activity of thin films in CO₂ reduction and wastewater remediation, using kinetic modeling, electronic structure calculations, and spectroscopy-driven surface analysis.

 Emerging Trends in Hybrid and Bio-Inspired Thin Films

• Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Films: Designing multifunctional materials for optoelectronics and separation membranes, guided by structure–property relationships and hybrid density functional theory (DFT) simulations.
• Biological and Biomimetic Films: Investigating the molecular organization, mechanical properties, and functionality of biointerfaces and coatings for medical devices, with data from experimental biocompatibility studies and molecular dynamics simulations.
• Self-Folding and Paper-Based Devices: Engineering smart films capable of actuation and shape transformation, supported by mechanical modeling, microfabrication experiments, and stimuli-response tests.

 Synergy with Industry and Industrial Applications

• Industrial Innovations in Thin-Film Technologies: Developing and refining synthesis strategies, in-line monitoring, and large-area deposition tools for high-throughput production, informed by process simulations and scale-up demonstrations.
• Device Integration and Processing: Studying the reliability, integration, and long-term performance of thin films in sensors, displays, and energy devices, using failure analysis and predictive maintenance modeling.

Synthesis and Fabrication of Thin-Film-Based Devices

• Deposition Techniques: PLD, ALD, CVD, sputtering, sol–gel, electrodeposition, and emerging chemical synthesis methods;
• Chemical Routes for Thin-Film Synthesis: Solution-based processing, self-assembly, and template-assisted growth;
• Printing and Large-Scale Processing: Thin-film printing on paper, flexible substrates, and scalable manufacturing approaches.

Advanced Characterization Methods

• In situ, ex situ, and operando techniques for understanding thin-film growth, structure, and properties;
• Interfacial and surface analysis of thin films in hybrid and composite systems.

Applications in Energy, Catalysis, and Environmental Sustainability

• Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications: Semiconductor thin films, photodetectors, sensors, and flexible electronics;
• Energy Conversion and Storage: Thermoelectric thin films, photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical applications, solid-state batteries, and supercapacitors;
• Catalysis and Environmental Applications: Thin films for photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, CO₂ reduction, and wastewater treatment.

Emerging Trends in Hybrid and Bio-Inspired Thin Films

• Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Thin Films: Functional materials for optoelectronics, membranes, and next-generation devices;
• Biological Thin Films and Membranes: Biomimetic coatings, biointerfaces, and thin films for medical applications;
• Self-Folding and Paper-Based Thin-Film Devices: Smart materials, self-actuating films, and origami-inspired microdevices.

Synergy with Industry and Industrial Applications

• Industrial R&D contributions to thin-film synthesis, large-scale deposition techniques, and commercialization;
• Thin-film integration in electronic devices, sensors, and sustainable materials processing.

Theoretical and Computational Studies

• Modeling and simulations of thin-film growth, electronic structures, and interfacial properties.

Prof. Dr. Paolo Mele
Prof. Dr. Cristiano Giordani
Dr. Marco Fronzi
Topic Editors