Emerging Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition Nanocoatings for Sustainable Food and Agriculture

Initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) has emerged as a versatile technique for developing functional nanocoatings that address critical food and agricultural challenges. This review highlights the unique capacities of iCVD nanocoatings, which enable precise engineering of surface properties, such as targeted cellular and molecular interactions, antimicrobial activity, and fouling resistance. In addition, the solvent-free nature of iCVD is particularly advantageous for coating sensitive materials and complex geometries commonly used across food and agriculture applications. This review provides an overview of iCVD's chemistry, deposition mechanisms, and ability to control nanocoating morphology and composition. Key applications discussed include iCVD nanocoatings for food quality monitoring, pathogen detection, antimicrobial food packaging, biomass extraction, and irrigation water purification. By summarizing recent advancements and identifying emerging trends, this review showcases the potential of iCVD as a powerful tool for developing sustainable, nanoenabled solutions in modern food and agriculture production.