A novel route for preparation of superhydrophobic multi-scale films on stainless steel via etching and electrophoretic deposition process

Abstract

Superhydrophobic aluminium films have been successfully fabricated on steel substrate via chemical etching and electrophoretic deposition processes, followed by 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS) modification. The resultant surface is investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show a hierarchical multi-scale structure and a grafted FAS film with low surface energy on the resultant sample surface, which confers excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 168.9° and a sliding angle of ca. 1.5°. Such a superhydrophobic steel substrate shows an excellent anti-adhesion behaviour and anti-corrosion property against corrosive liquids. Furthermore, it also holds its superhydrophobicity even after a long-time exposure to air. Our work may provide a novel and facile fabrication route to prepare other functional superhydrophobic films on metal substrate for various applications.