Facile fabrication of robust, multi-functional and superhydrophobic coatings with corrosion resistance and anti-icing performance

Abstract

In this paper, a series of superhydrophobic coatings with varying n-SiO2 content were prepared using a simple one-step spray method. The coatings were characterized with SEM, XPS, electrochemical workstation, AFM, etc. The influence of n-SiO2 content on the micro-nanostructure of the coatings was investigated, as well as the elemental composition, the wettability, mechanical stability, chemical stability, and anti-icing performance. The results showed that as the n-SiO2 content increased, the wettability and anti-icing time of the coatings initially increased and then decreased. The optimal performance was achieved at an n-SiO2 content of 4.16 wt%, with a contact angle of 162.62°, a sliding angle of 4.17°, and an anti-icing time of 1095 s. Mechanical stability was improved with increasing n-SiO2 content, and the coatings lasted for 40 sandpaper abrasion cycles, 55 tape peeling cycles, and 31 icing/deicing cycles at 4.88 wt% of n-SiO2. The coatings demonstrated good chemical stability in neutral and acidic environments but failed in strongly alkaline conditions. Electrochemical tests revealed that the superhydrophobic coatings provided excellent protection, with the corrosion inhibition efficiency (η) of Q235 carbon steel reaching 99.99 % after coating compared to uncoated Q235 carbon steel.