Surface Functionalization Processes for New Multifunctional Materials
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Thin Films and Interfaces".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 August 2022) | Viewed by 7281
Special Issue Editor
Interests: thin film growth; in-vacuum synthesis/deposition techniques; interface analysis; photoelectron spectroscopies; electron microscopies; nanostructured materials; low-dimensional materials
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The ability to control, modify and tune surface chemical and physical properties of materials is extremely important when specific functionalities are sought. For example, achieving biocompatibility of surfaces (polymers, inorganics) with interesting structural, mechanical features but not enabling the interaction with organic tissues is one of the most intriguing challenges for the realization of prostheses and probes. The functionalization of inorganic nanostructured materials is highly appealing for biosensing, drug delivery, bioimaging, theranostics, and is also a promising approach for water treatment and environmental bioremediation. Finally, organic monolayers can tune the electronic properties of metals and semiconductors for the realization of advanced electronic and optoelectronic devices.
The common goal is to modify the surface properties by adding specific chemical groups or nanostructures, typically a very thin film (from submonolayer to one or few layers), to achieve new features, towards a new class of advanced multifunctional materials for applications in sensing, electronics, and biomedicals.
Several approaches can be used to achieve these goals, having in mind that a stable bond between the surface and organic groups or nanoparticles must often be achieved to improve the stability and reliability of the new hybrid materials. Wet chemistry, which is probably the most used and versatile approach to functionalizing inorganic surfaces with organic molecules and also inorganic nanoparticles, the self-assembled monolayer created by Langmuir–Blodgett, electrodeposition, and organic deposition in a vacuum are all reliable methods for testing and defining new approaches.
This Special Issue will explore the most promising techniques and materials that focus on surface functionalization, to integrate different properties towards multifunctionality. A multidisciplinary approach is intrinsic in these research fields, starting from a base knowledge of materials to chemical/physical interactions at the interfaces, characterization tools to study such properties, and their reliability for the final application. Thus, all these points will be considered and discussed.
Dr. Roberto Verucchi
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- surface functionalization
- multifunctional materials
- organic molecules
- nanostructured materials
- biocompatibility
- sensing and biosensing
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