Magnetron Sputtering Coatings: From Materials to Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Magnetron sputtering is one of the most popular technologies for the deposition of coatings and thin films since it was first developed nearly two centuries ago. For decades, sputtering was used primarily in electronics for the fabrication of semiconductor devices. However, over time, sputtering has also found applications within a broad range of fields such as mechanical and protective, optoelectronics, optical coatings, sensors, energy, biomedical, etc.

Meanwhile, many new-concept materials such as high entropy alloys, metallic glass, MAX phases, etc., are being constantly discovered for sputtering deposition. Furthermore, they could prospectively exhibit different microstructures and improved properties compared to conventional materials.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight some of the most recent and significant contributions to the magnetron sputtering field, through a combination of original research papers and review articles from leading groups around the world. In particular, the topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

• Conventional sputtering technologies (RF/DC/p-DC/others);
• Advanced technologies (unbalanced/HiPIMS/ion source/others);
• Conventional materials (metals/nitrides/carbides/borides/oxides/others);
• New-concept materials (high entropy alloys/metallic glass/MAX phases/others);
• Microstructure modifications and characterizations (nanostructure/multilayer/others);
• Mechanical properties (friction/wear/lubrication/erosion/others);
• Protection in harsh environments (oxidation/corrosion/antibacterial/others);
• Functional properties (optical/TCOs/ferroelectric/solar cells/others).

Dr. Fanping Meng
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

• magnetron sputtering
• thin films and coatings
• structure and microstructure
• mechanical properties
• protection properties
• functional properties