Electrodeposition of the hierarchical dual structured (HDS) nanocrystalline Ni surface with high water repellency and self-cleaning properties

Abstract

Abstract In this work, a rapid one-step process was introduced for fabrication of superhydrophobic nanocrystalline nickel coating by electrodeposition. Myristic acid and calcium chloride, each one separately and also together were used in electrolyte and were compared to the simple nickel electrolyte (without additive). Superhydrophobic surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface roughness tester. Static and dynamic water repellency properties of electrodeposited samples were studied by measuring the water contact angle, contact angle hysteresis and also bouncing test, water-jet test and self-cleaning test. The corrosion resistance properties of samples were investigated by of potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests. The highest water repellency and corrosion resistance was obtained for the sample that electrodeposited in an electrolyte contains myristic acid and calcium chloride. Water contact angle and contact angle hysteresis for this sample was 158° and 5°, respectively. Use of this method to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces is facile, fast and low cost, so it seems to be applicable for industrial scale.