A rapid one-step electrodeposition method for fabrication of the superhydrophobic nickel/cobalt alloy surfaces with excellent robustness and durability features

Abstract

The artificial superhydrophobic surfaces were successfully assembled on various substrates by adjusting surface roughness and reducing surface energy. In this work, a series of superhydrophobic Ni/Co alloy (SNCA) surfaces with hierarchical micro/nano rough structures were prepared on brass substrates by a facile one-step electrodeposition method. Based on these surfaces, the influences of manufacturing parameters and their structure on the wettability of SNCA were well discussed. The results confirmed that SNCAt under the synergy of multi-optimal parameters (m, i, t) displays a more ordered cone-flower structure, showing excellent superhydrophobicity (WCA = 167.9°, WSA = 3.2°), and the massive pollutants spread on its surface can be easily taken away by the rolling water droplets within 40 s. It is reassuring to know that SNCAt surface still retains good superhydrophobicity after undergoing blade scraping, tape stripping, sandpaper cyclic wear, heat treatment and chemical corrosion, which shows long-term durability. The corrosion protection capability of the as-fabricated SNCA was also evaluated by electrochemical corrosion techniques. The results show that SNCA has outstanding corrosion inhibition performance in simulated seawater solution, and especially the protection efficiency of SNCAt can reach above 98 %. In conclusion, the existence of superhydrophobic surface can be regarded as a barrier, and the perfect interface of gas-liquid can effectively inhibit the permeation of corrosive ions. Therefore, the superhydrophobic surface with robustness and durability will be a promising alternative technique for corrosion protection.