An optical element includes an optical surface including a ceramic material. The optical element further includes a coating that includes a bifunctional molecule arranged on the optical surface. The bifunctional molecule includes a first functional group and a second functional group. The first functional group forms a covalent bond to the ceramic material of the optical surface, and the second functional group includes an aromatic functional group. The optical element further includes a carbon-containing material non-covalently bonded to the second functional group of the bifunctional molecule of the coating.