Recent Developments and Practical Applications of Thin Films in Metal Oxides, Perovskites, and Rare Earth Oxides

Dear Colleagues,

Thin films, with their nano- to micrometre thickness, are integral to modern materials science, physics, chemistry, and engineering due to their distinct properties and wide-ranging applications. Fabricated through techniques like atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sol–gel processes, magnetron sputtering, and molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE), these films possess tailored physical, chemical, optical, and electrical characteristics, making them essential across electronics, photonics, energy conversion, and biomedical sectors.

Metal oxides, chalcogenides, perovskites, rare earth oxides, and GaAs (gallium arsenide) are pivotal material classes extensively explored for thin film applications. Notably, metal oxide thin films such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) are renowned for their semiconductor properties employed in solar cells, gas sensors, and transparent conductive coatings. Chalcogenide thin films based on selenium and tellurium exhibit unique phase change properties crucial for optical data storage and memory devices. Perovskite thin films like methylammonium lead iodide (CH₃NH₃PbI₃) have emerged as highly efficient materials for next-generation photovoltaics and light-emitting diodes. Rare earth oxide thin films contribute magnetic and optical functionalities vital for spintronics and advanced optics. GaAs thin films, a III–V compound semiconductor, find application in high-performance electronic and optoelectronic devices, including solar cells and laser diodes.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent developments and practical applications across these diverse thin film classes. Contributions will showcase advancements in materials synthesis, fabrication techniques, characterization methodologies, and cutting-edge applications in various technological domains. Additionally, it will explore the emerging role of thin films in antimicrobial applications, reflecting a growing interest in leveraging their unique properties to combat microbial threats in healthcare and environmental contexts.

This Special Issue seeks to cover a wide array of topics related to thin film technologies and their utilization across various fields. Specific areas of interest include the following:

Novel deposition methods for metal oxides, chalcogenides, perovskites, rare earth oxides, and GaAs thin films, encompassing ALD, CVD, sol–gel processes, magnetron sputtering, and MBE.

Advances in materials design and engineering tailored for thin film applications.

Characterization techniques for comprehensive analysis of the structural, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of thin films.

Thin film-based devices such as solar cells, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, sensors, and memory devices.

Surface passivation strategies and their influence on thin film performance and longevity.

Exploration of the antimicrobial properties of thin films and their diverse applications in healthcare, food packaging, and environmental sustainability.

Prof. Dr. William Chiappim
Prof. Dr. Joaquim Pratas Leitão
Guest Editors

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.

• thin films
• metal oxides
• chalcogenides
• perovskites
• rare earth oxides
• GaAs thin films
• atomic layer deposition (ALD)
• chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
• Sol–gel processes
• magnetron sputtering
• molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE)
• characterization methods
• photovoltaics
• solar cells
• optoelectronic devices
• memory devices
• surface passivation
• antimicrobial properties
• biomedical applications
• environmental sustainability