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Micro/Nano-Structured Material Surfaces and Their Functional Coatings

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Thin Films and Interfaces".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 3587

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Chemistry, AMBER and CRANN, Trinity College Dublin, D02 AK60 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: surface science and catalysis; nanoengineered surface coatings
Key Laboratory of Micro-Systems and Micro-Structures Manufacturing, Ministry of Education and School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
Interests: bioinspired micro/nano structures; superwetting surfaces; superoleophobic/superhydrophilic surfaces
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor Assistant
School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
Interests: atomic force microscopy; nanobubbles; microfluidics; drag reduction; slip length; surface roughness; photothermal Marangoni effect; heat transfer

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Guest Editor Assistant
School of Mechanical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Interests: micro/nano fabrication; functional surfaces and interfaces; anti-icing; droplet-based microfluidics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional surfaces have always been an important topic in various fields such as the military, industry, agriculture, environment, etc. The proposed Special Issue on "Micro/Nano-Structured Material Surfaces and Their Functional Coatings" explores the latest science and technology advancements in functional surfaces, structures, materials, and coatings, which involve normal and abnormal processing or specific physical chemistry methods from microscopic to macroscopic scales. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, bioinspired functional surfaces, micro/nano functional structures, the characterization and analysis of micro/nano-structured surfaces, state-of-the-art microfluidics for fluid release, etc. By gathering information on cutting-edge research and technologies, we aim to promote the understanding of innovative chemical- and physical-based strategies in characterizing and fabricating functional materials and their surfaces.

This Special Issue will provide a platform to present a comprehensive view of the current pioneering research in the fields of materials, nanoscience, and applied physical chemistry, which will attract various scientists and engineers to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and collaborate on advancing functional interfaces.

Prof. Dr. Michael A. Morris
Dr. Feiran Li
Guest Editors

Dr. Dayong Li
Dr. Liming Liu
Guest Editor Assistants

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.

Keywords

  • micro/nano structure
  • functional surfaces and interfaces
  • surface materials
  • micro/nano characterization

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2763 KB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Hydrothermal Performance of Micro Pin Fin Heat Sinks with Streamwise-Varying Height
by Hang Gao and Dalei Jing
Materials 2026, 19(4), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19040654 - 8 Feb 2026
Viewed by 206
Abstract
To enhance the hydrothermal performance of micro pin fin heat sinks (MPFHSs), this paper proposes five MPFHSs with different streamwise pin fin height variation modes and experimentally and numerically compares their hydrothermal performance, including pressure drop, maximum and average temperatures, and comprehensive performance [...] Read more.
To enhance the hydrothermal performance of micro pin fin heat sinks (MPFHSs), this paper proposes five MPFHSs with different streamwise pin fin height variation modes and experimentally and numerically compares their hydrothermal performance, including pressure drop, maximum and average temperatures, and comprehensive performance evaluation criteria. The results indicate that, taking the uniform PFs height (UH) design as a reference, the designs with linearly increasing streamwise PFs height (LIH) and increasing streamwise PFs height with decelerating growth rate (DIH) demonstrate lower heat sink temperatures. Conversely, the designs with linearly decreasing streamwise PFs height (LDH) and decreasing streamwise PFs height with accelerating reduction rate (ADH) result in higher heat sink temperature. In addition, the comprehensive performance of LDH and ADH outperforms that of UH at low inlet flow rates, while the DIH surpasses that of UH at higher flow rates. As the inlet flow rate increases from 0.02 L/min to 0.5 L/min, our numerical study shows that the comprehensive performance of LDH and ADH decreases by 14.9% and 6.2%, respectively, whereas that of LIH and DIH increases by 17.4% and 10.2%, respectively. This finding provides insights to improve the hydrothermal performance of MPFHS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano-Structured Material Surfaces and Their Functional Coatings)
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16 pages, 5931 KB  
Article
Deposition and Properties of Nanostructured Multilayer Cr/(Cr/a-C)ml Coating on Stainless Steels
by Valentin Mishev, Yavor Sofronov, Milko Yordanov, Antonio Nikolov, Krum Petrov, Rayna Dimitrova, Milko Angelov, Boyan Dochev, Krassimir Marchev and Georgi Todorov
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245654 - 16 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 311
Abstract
This work presents the results of deposition by magnetron sputtering nanostructured multilayer Cr/(Cr/a-C)ml coatings on AISI 316L and AISI 321 steel substrates. Chemical compositions were confirmed through EDX analysis with scanning electron microscopy. The coating thickness was measured with Calotester (KaloMAX II) and [...] Read more.
This work presents the results of deposition by magnetron sputtering nanostructured multilayer Cr/(Cr/a-C)ml coatings on AISI 316L and AISI 321 steel substrates. Chemical compositions were confirmed through EDX analysis with scanning electron microscopy. The coating thickness was measured with Calotester (KaloMAX II) and the total thickness of the coatings obtained ranged from 1.684 ± 0.193 μm for AISI 316L to 1.749 ± 0.123 μm for AISI 321. A Daimler-Benz Rockwell indentation test for adhesion quality and a nanoindentation test with a Berkovich indenter were carried out. According to the Raman spectroscopy analysis and in agreement with mechanical tests, it is supposed that it is the formation of a diamond-like carbon phase which enhances the mechanical properties. The hardness values obtained for the nanostructured multilayer Cr/(Cr/a-C)ml coatings were improved compared to those of the base stainless steels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano-Structured Material Surfaces and Their Functional Coatings)
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15 pages, 5636 KB  
Article
Microstructure and Properties of Cu-Fe Immiscible Coatings Fabricated via Combined Mechanical Alloying and Laser Cladding
by Cheng Deng, Tao Xie, Zihao Wan, Guangjian Feng, Yuanlun Yang, Zhaozhi Wu, Xinhua Wang, Shengfeng Zhou and Jie Chen
Materials 2025, 18(19), 4436; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194436 - 23 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 767
Abstract
This work reports on a systematic investigation of the microstructure and comprehensive performance of Cu–Fe immiscible composite coatings prepared through the combination of mechanical alloying and laser cladding. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive analysis, X-ray diffraction, [...] Read more.
This work reports on a systematic investigation of the microstructure and comprehensive performance of Cu–Fe immiscible composite coatings prepared through the combination of mechanical alloying and laser cladding. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive analysis, X-ray diffraction, a digital microhardness tester, a current tester, an electrochemical analyzer, and a magnetometer. The results show that the immiscible composite coatings are mainly composed of α-Fe particle dispersion in the ε-Cu matrix due to liquid phase separation, and this is exacerbated by the addition of more Fe content. Concentrated distribution of Fe-rich particles at either the top or bottom of the immiscible composite coatings is driven by the dominant mechanism of Marangoni and Stokes motion. With the increased fraction of Fe content, the microhardness and electrical resistivity increased, but with a degradation in corrosion resistance. With the increased ball milling time, the electrical resistivity increased, and the corrosion resistance improved. Compared to the medium-carbon steel substrate, the immiscible composite coatings can achieve an improved corrosion resistance, as well as a maximum saturated magnetization of 10.172 emu/g and the lowest coercivity at 17.249 Oe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano-Structured Material Surfaces and Their Functional Coatings)
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20 pages, 12002 KB  
Article
Influence of Spray Angle on Scratch Resistance of Cold-Sprayed SS316L Deposits
by Avneesh Kumar, Marek Vostrak and Sarka Houdkova
Materials 2025, 18(2), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020431 - 17 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1717
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effect of spray angle on the microstructure, bonding quality, and scratch resistance of cold-sprayed SS316L coatings on SS304 substrates. The coatings were deposited at spray angles of 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° using a high-pressure cold spray [...] Read more.
In this study, we investigated the effect of spray angle on the microstructure, bonding quality, and scratch resistance of cold-sprayed SS316L coatings on SS304 substrates. The coatings were deposited at spray angles of 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° using a high-pressure cold spray system. A comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the spray angle and coating properties was conducted, with a particular focus on fracture toughness and porosity. Scratch testing, combined with real-time acoustic emission monitoring, enabled the precise identification of failure mechanisms and the assessment of coating integrity. The results indicate that microhardness and porosity are significantly influenced by the spray angle. The highest microhardness was achieved at a 45° angle, while a 90° angle resulted in the lowest porosity and superior bonding due to superior normal impact velocity. Fracture toughness was found to correlate with microstructural cohesion and particle deformation. Optimizing the incidence angle improved the coating performance by balancing strain hardening and ductility, thereby reducing the risk of premature failure. These findings are particularly relevant for industrial applications, where wear resistance and high-quality bonding are critical, such as in aerospace, automotive, and marine sectors. By adjusting the spray angles, manufacturers can enhance the longevity and reliability of the coated components, thus reducing maintenance costs and improving performance. This research highlights the importance of process parameters in achieving durable, high-quality coatings and emphasizes scratch testing as an effective, sustainable, and semi-destructive evaluation method for coating integrity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano-Structured Material Surfaces and Their Functional Coatings)
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