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Coatings
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Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals
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Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Thin Films".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 10198

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Irina Ya Mittova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Material Science and Industry of Nanosystems, Voronezh State University, Voronezh, Russia
Interests: solid state and semiconductor chemistry; control of synthesis processes, composition and properties of functional (semiconductor, dielectric, para- and ferromagnetic) nanoscale films; magnetic nanocrystals and nano-luminophores

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Now, due to the intensification of the study of the nanoscale state of matter, a detailed study of films of the nanoscale thickness range and nanocrystals, including those with core-shell structures, is required. Nanoscale films are an integral element of nanoscale heterostructures for various purposes, based on which hybrid integrated electronics devices and optoelectronic devices (light-emitting diodes, photodiodes, lasers) are manufactured. These optoelectronic devices are promising for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. On the basis of A3B5 semiconductors, it is possible to create heterostructures that can be used for converting solar energy into electrical energy, as well as heterostructures which are suitable for high-temperature electronics devices, including diode temperature sensors. Therefore, studies of the kinetics and mechanism of the formation of functional nanofilms, the search for new methods of their synthesis, detailed characterization and methods of controlling their composition, nanostructure, and properties over a wide range are gaining special relevance and significance. The same applies to nanocrystals with a wide variety of properties. The establishment of the main regularity of solid-state chemistry—“synthesis method - composition - structure - degree of dispersion - properties”, is acquiring new relevance for nanoobjects, and will allow one to synthesize new nanomaterials with desired properties.

The scope of this Special Issue will serve as a forum for papers in the following concepts:

  1. New methods for the synthesis of functional films of the nanometer range of thickness and corresponding heterostructures;
  2. Kinetics and mechanism of actual processes of nanofilms formation;
  3. Methods and approaches to control the characteristics of films of the nanoscale thickness range for specific applications;
  4. Synthesis, properties and application of functional nanocrystals, including those with a core-shell structure;
  5. Physical and chemical methods of activation of the processes of formation of nanoobjects;
  6. Creation of models for the formation of functional nanomaterials, including computer modeling for the optimization of the synthesis processes and prediction of the properties of nanomaterials.

Prof. Dr. Irina Ya Mittova
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • nanoscale films
  • nanocrystals
  • activation of synthesis processes
  • heterostructures
  • core-shell structures

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 5089 KiB  
Article
Strong Interface Interaction of ZnO Nanosheets and MnSx Nanoparticles Triggered by Light over Wide Ranges of Wavelength to Enhance Their Removal of VOCs
by Xingfa Ma, Xintao Zhang, Mingjun Gao, You Wang and Guang Li
Coatings 2023, 13(10), 1727; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13101727 - 03 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 808
Abstract
The characteristics of the surface and interface of nanocomposites are important for exerting multi-functional properties and widening interdisciplinary applications. These properties are mainly depending on the electronic structures of materials. Some key factors, such as the surface, interface, grain boundaries, and defects take [...] Read more.
The characteristics of the surface and interface of nanocomposites are important for exerting multi-functional properties and widening interdisciplinary applications. These properties are mainly depending on the electronic structures of materials. Some key factors, such as the surface, interface, grain boundaries, and defects take vital roles in the contribution of desired properties. Due to the excellent sensitivity of the QCM (quartz crystal microbalance) device, the surface and interface features of the nanocomposite were studied with the aid of the gas-response of the sensors (Sensor’s Gas-Sensitivity) in this work. To make full use of the visible light and part of NIR, a ZnO/MnSx nanocomposite was constructed using hydrothermal synthesis for narrowing the bandgap width of wide bandgap materials. The results indicated that the absorbance of the resulting nanocomposite was extended to part of the NIR range due to the introduction of impurity level or defect level, although ZnO and MnS belonged to wide bandgap semiconductor materials. To explore the physical mechanism of light activities, the photoconductive responses to weak visible light (650 nm, etc.) and NIR (near-infrared) (808 nm, 980 nm, and 1064 nm, etc.) were studied based on interdigital electrodes of Au on flexible PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film substrate with the casting method. The results showed that the on/off ratio of ZnO/MnSx nanocomposite to weak visible light and part of NIR light were changed by about one to five orders of magnitude, with changes varying with the amount of MnSx nanoparticle loading due to defect-assisted photoconductive behavior. It illustrated that the ZnO/MnSx nanocomposite easily produced photo-induced free charges, effectively avoiding the recombination of electrons/holes because of the formation of strong built-in electrical fields. To examine the surface and interface properties of nanocomposites, chemical prototype sensor arrays were constructed based on ZnO, ZnO/MnSx nanocomposite, and QCM arrays. The adsorption response behaviors of the sensor arrays to some typical volatile compounds were examined under a similar micro-environment. The results exhibited that in comparison to ZnO nanosheets, the ZnO nanosheets/MnSx nanocomposite increased adsorption properties to some typical organic volatile compounds significantly. It would have good potential applications in photo-catalysts, self-cleaning films, multi-functional coatings, and organic pollutants treatment (VOCs) of environmental fields for sustainable development. It provided some reference value to explore the physical mechanism of materials physics and photophysics for photo-active functional nanocomposites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals)
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19 pages, 5973 KiB  
Article
Spin Coating of Silica Nanocolloids on Mica: Self-Assembly of Two-Dimensional Colloid Crystal Structures and Thin Films
by John Walker and Vasileios Koutsos
Coatings 2023, 13(9), 1488; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13091488 - 23 Aug 2023
Viewed by 937
Abstract
The viability of spin-coating methods for the self-assembly of 150 nm diameter silica nanocolloids into large crystal structures on mica was investigated using different colloidal concentrations, accelerations, and rotational speeds. The samples were imaged by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in intermittent contact mode. [...] Read more.
The viability of spin-coating methods for the self-assembly of 150 nm diameter silica nanocolloids into large crystal structures on mica was investigated using different colloidal concentrations, accelerations, and rotational speeds. The samples were imaged by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in intermittent contact mode. Low colloidal concentration led to a size-dependent ordering configuration. The largest nanocolloidal particles formed crystalline close-packed structures that were surrounded by increasingly smaller nanocolloids configured into more polycrystalline or amorphous formations. This phenomenon became increasingly suppressed by increasing colloidal concentration. Two dimensional-fast Fourier transform (2D-FFT) radially averaged profiles of the topography images revealed increasing interparticle spacing with increasing rotational acceleration, from close-packed structuring at low accelerations to increasingly spaced packing at high acceleration (>800 rpm/s). This behaviour is attributed to rapid liquid shedding from the increased acceleration. Analysis with radial distribution functions quantified the extent of ordering and revealed an optimum spin speed that caused the formation of large, highly crystalline structures. This optimum spin speed is governed by the relationship between the rotational speed and the liquid film thickness that affect the uniformity of the film and the magnitude of the capillary forces generated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals)
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12 pages, 9107 KiB  
Article
Self-Assembly and Properties of Elastic Nanocellulose-Carbon Airgel with Ordered Porosity by Template-Free Directional Freezing
by Sihui Wang, Zhengdong Li, Xiaopeng Gong, Feng Hou and Ji Liang
Coatings 2023, 13(7), 1297; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13071297 - 24 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 991
Abstract
Porous cellulose aerogels with different compositions have been fabricated via three methods, including regular freezing, directional freezing, and hydrothermal treatment, using pure cellulose oxide and cellulose oxide/graphite oxide composites, respectively. The cellulose aerogels are highly elastic and light in weight. The carbon aerogels [...] Read more.
Porous cellulose aerogels with different compositions have been fabricated via three methods, including regular freezing, directional freezing, and hydrothermal treatment, using pure cellulose oxide and cellulose oxide/graphite oxide composites, respectively. The cellulose aerogels are highly elastic and light in weight. The carbon aerogels show an ordered structure through directional freezing with layered skeleton bones and some folds. Unlike low-temperature freezing, the structures can obtain elastic properties. When the deformation is 20%, carbon aerogels can rebound to 95% of their original volume. The cellulose oxide/graphite oxide composite aerogels are synthesized into carbon–aerogel composites, which also have stable and robust structures of bone skeletons due to nanosheets. The carbon–aerogel composites have more than 85% resilience under 40% deformations. Carbon aerogels prepared from nanocelluloses have a novel three-dimensional network structure and have the application of elasticity, which is expected to be applied to metallurgical technology and the aerospace field. Through directional freezing, the carbon aerogels have regular structures of layered skeleton bones with some folds. In contrast to low-temperature freezing, the structures possess excellent elastic properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals)
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11 pages, 3991 KiB  
Article
Influence of Synthetic Conditions on the Crystal Structure, Optical and Magnetic Properties of o-EuFeO3 Nanoparticles
by Nguyen Anh Tien, Cam Thanh Son, Valentina Olegovna Mittova, Irina Yakovlevna Mittova, Elena Viktorovna Tomina, Truong Chi Hien and Bui Xuan Vuong
Coatings 2023, 13(6), 1082; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13061082 - 12 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1246
Abstract
In this paper, powders consisting of o-EuFeO3 nanoparticles were obtained by the co-precipitation method using two different precipitating agents (NH3 and (NH4)2CO3 solutions; corresponding products were denoted as samples S.1 and S.2, respectively) and followed [...] Read more.
In this paper, powders consisting of o-EuFeO3 nanoparticles were obtained by the co-precipitation method using two different precipitating agents (NH3 and (NH4)2CO3 solutions; corresponding products were denoted as samples S.1 and S.2, respectively) and followed by annealing for 1 h at 750, 850, and 950 °C. The magnetic, optical, and physicochemical characteristics of S.1 and S.2 were evaluated by means of EDXS (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), PXRD (powder X-ray diffraction), TG/DSC (thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry), FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), UV-Vis DRS (Ultraviolet–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy), and VSM (vibrating-sample magnetometry). The o-EuFeO3 structure was shown to be stable at annealed temperatures, and t = 850 °C is recommended for synthesizing such substances. The average size of o-EuFeO3 crystals is around 27 (S.1) and 34 nm (S.2). The results revealed a homogeneous distribution of the main elements on the samples’ surfaces, with morphology consisting of isometric and highly agglomerated nanoparticles. The bandgap value (Eg) of the synthesized samples was 2.31 (S.1) and 2.39 eV (S.2). Besides, these nanoparticles appeared to possess paramagnetic behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals)
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9 pages, 3991 KiB  
Communication
A Novel Oxidation–Reduction Route for the Morphology-Controlled Synthesis of Manganese Oxide Nanocoating as Highly Effective Material for Pseudocapacitors
by Artem A. Lobinsky, Ilya A. Kodintzev, Maxim I. Tenevich and Vadim I. Popkov
Coatings 2023, 13(2), 361; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13020361 - 05 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 990
Abstract
In recent years, pseudocapacitors have been receiving much attention as low-cost and safe energy storage technology for emerging applications in flexible and safe devices. However, creating high-energy-density electrode materials is now the main limit for high-performance pseudocapacitors. In this work, we propose a [...] Read more.
In recent years, pseudocapacitors have been receiving much attention as low-cost and safe energy storage technology for emerging applications in flexible and safe devices. However, creating high-energy-density electrode materials is now the main limit for high-performance pseudocapacitors. In this work, we propose a novel reduction route for the synthesis of uniform MnO2 nanocoating with porous morphology on nickel foam via the SILD method as electrode material for high-effective pseudocapacitors. The obtained nanocoatings were characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, and electrochemical techniques. Comparisons of MnO2 coatings were conducted to obtain the reduction and oxidative routes of synthesis. The influence of the oxidation–reduction reaction type on the structures, morphologies, and capacity performance of manganese oxide was investigated. The results show that the nanocoatings synthesized via the reduction route were formed of amorphous uniform ultra-thick coating MnO2 with a porous morphology of “nanoflakes.” Due to the unique morphology and uniform coating of nanosized manganese oxide, electrodes based on this process have shown a high specific capacity (1490 F/g at 1 A/g) and excellent cycling stability (97% capacity retention after 1000 charge–discharge cycles). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals)
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9 pages, 1850 KiB  
Article
Thin Films on the Surface of GaAs, Obtained by Chemically Stimulated Thermal Oxidation, as Materials for Gas Sensors
by V. F. Kostryukov, A. S. Parshina, B. V. Sladkopevtsev and I. Ya. Mittova
Coatings 2022, 12(12), 1819; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings12121819 - 25 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1124
Abstract
Semiconductor metal oxide films on the surface of gallium arsenide are obtained by chemostimulated oxidation under the influence of a Sb2O3 + Y2O3 composition. The chemical composition of the obtained films and the surface morphology are determined [...] Read more.
Semiconductor metal oxide films on the surface of gallium arsenide are obtained by chemostimulated oxidation under the influence of a Sb2O3 + Y2O3 composition. The chemical composition of the obtained films and the surface morphology are determined by EPXMA, IR spectroscopy, and AFM. The main components of the films are gallium and arsenic, which are in the oxidized state. The content of the chemical stimulator (Sb2O3) does not exceed 2%. Films obtained under the influence of composites 60% Sb2O3 + 40% Y2O3 and 80% Sb2O3 + 20% Y2O3 are characterized by the maximum surface roughness. The samples obtained in this work demonstrate n-type semiconductor properties in the temperature range of 20–400 °C. It is established that the obtained samples have a gas-sensitive response to NH3 and CO. The maximum value of the sensory signal appears for the samples obtained under the influence of compositions 80% Sb2O3 + 20% Y2O3, which are characterized by the most developed surfaces. The resulting films are selective to the studied gases—the difference in temperature for the maximum signal is 60 °C (200 °C for CO and 260 °C for NH3). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals)
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12 pages, 4993 KiB  
Article
Spray Pyrolysis Synthesis of Pure and Mg-Doped Manganese Oxide Thin Films
by Mohamed Amine Dahamni, Mostefa Ghamnia, Salah Eddine Naceri, Carole Fauquet, Didier Tonneau, Jean-Jacques Pireaux and Abed Bouadi
Coatings 2021, 11(5), 598; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings11050598 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2990
Abstract
Pure and Mg-doped manganese oxide thin films were synthesized on heated glass substrates using the spray pyrolysis technique. The surface chemical composition was investigated by the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Structural and morphological properties were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), [...] Read more.
Pure and Mg-doped manganese oxide thin films were synthesized on heated glass substrates using the spray pyrolysis technique. The surface chemical composition was investigated by the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Structural and morphological properties were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Optical properties were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy. XPS spectra showed typical Mn (2p3/2), (2p1/2) and O (1s) peaks of Mn3O4 with a slight shift attributed to the formation of different chemical states of manganese. XRD analysis revealed the tetragonal phase of Mn3O4 with a preferred (211) growth orientation that improved with Mg-doping; likewise, grain size is observed to increase with the Mg doping. SEM images of Mn3O4 films showed rough surfaces composed of uniformly distributed nanograins whose size decreases with the Mg-doping. The manganese oxide films surface observed in AFM show a textured, rough and porous surface. The combination of transmittance and absorption data in the UV-visible range allowed determining the energy values of the Eg band gap (1.5–2.5 eV). The decrease of the band gap with the Mg-doping increase is attributed to the influence of the greater size of the Mg2+ ion in the manganese oxide lattice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films, Nanofilms and Nanocrystals)
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