Innovative Thin Films and Coatings for Solar Cells

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 19

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Química, Materiales-Energía, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro C.P. 76010, Mexico
Interests: chalcogenide perovskites; metal sulfides; metal oxides; metal–organic frameworks; carbon/graphene-based materials; metal nitrides and borides; solar cells; thin-films; SCAPS-1D simulation

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IM2NP, Aix-Marseille University (AMU), Marseille, France
Interests: perovskite materials; thin films; single and multijunction solar cells; ZnO nanowires; DFT; SCAPS-1D simulations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring the innovative use of thin films and coatings specifically designed for solar cell applications. The focus includes a variety of coatings applied to key components of solar cells, such as light absorbers and electron and hole transport layers. We invite contributions that utilize a diverse range of coating methods, both vacuum-based and non-vacuum-based, to enhance the performance and efficiency of solar cells across various technologies. We encourage submissions related to a wide array of solar cell types, including thin-film solar cells, lead and lead-free halide perovskite solar cells, organic solar cells, hybrid solar cells, and dye-sensitized solar cells. We urge authors to submit original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and insightful perspectives aimed at advancing the field of solar cell materials and their coatings to promote efficient energy conversion. Contributions should address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Proposing and developing novel energy materials that enhance solar cell performance.
  • The application and optimization of coating techniques for solar cell materials, using either vacuum or non-vacuum processes.
  • Investigating and analyzing the effects of different absorbers and transport layers on solar cell efficiency and overall performance.
  • Introducing innovative coating processes specifically designed for solar cell applications, detailing the methodologies and potential impacts.

We look forward to receiving submissions that push the boundaries of knowledge in solar cell coatings and contribute to the development of more effective solar energy solutions.

Dr. Latha Marasamy
Dr. Karthick Sekar
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.

Keywords

  • novel energy materials
  • vacuum coatings
  • non-vacuum coatings
  • thin film solar cells
  • perovskite solar cells
  • organic solar cell
  • hybrid solar cells
  • dye-sensitized solar cells

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
Back to TopTop