Abstract
Hydrophobic aluminum oxide films (AOFs) are widely used in anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion applications. In preparing AOFs, complex and high temperature conditions are usually necessary. Here, we report aluminum nanowire structures with hydrophobic properties, prepared using a facile sol-gel method by magnetic stirrer and hydrothermal reaction. The electromagnetic force work has great influence on the structure of AOFs. The surface morphology and compositions of the AOFs were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spec-trometers (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), 3M peeling test, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). With the increase of water content in hydrothermal reaction, the hydrophobicity of AOFs proportional increased. Adding 10 ml deionized water leads to the formation of the upper nanowires and the lower nanohole with 129.3° water contact angle. Meanwhile, the AOF provide a good substrate for electroless deposition (ELD) of copper (Cu) to achieve a simple fabrication of metal conductor.
Highlights
Hydrophobic aluminum oxide have great influence on many fields due to its prominent capabilities, such as biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, hydrophobicity, and high optical transparency (Kim et al, 2012; Chen et al, 2014; Zechner et al, 2014; Xifreperez et al, 2015)
X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were recorded on a Shimadzu Limited diffractometer operating at 40 mA and 40 kV using monochromatic Cu Kα radiation, and it was used to analyze the crystallinity of the aluminum oxide films (AOFs)
With the water content increasing in hydrothermal reaction, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of samples including 3 and 5 ml-AOF films showed the particles were packed tightly and glued together (Figures 1D,E,G,H)
Summary
Hydrophobic aluminum oxide have great influence on many fields due to its prominent capabilities, such as biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, hydrophobicity, and high optical transparency (Kim et al, 2012; Chen et al, 2014; Zechner et al, 2014; Xifreperez et al, 2015). Considering the hydrophobic wide application of alumina, this property has been studied in anti-corrosion metal coating. Preparing hydrophobic Al2O3 thin films on steel substrates primely improve steel anti-corrosion performances (Chen et al, 2014). Some reported that the preparation of superhydrophobic Al2O3 nanoparticles via chemical vapor deposition can be applied on the coatings surfaces of different materials and sizes (Bao et al, 2014). A promising method is proposed for the preparation of anticorrosive superhydrophobic coatings. Chen et al have prepared Al2O3-Al coatings with superhydrophobicity and good corrosion resistance and may be applied to a protective layer for marine infrastructure (Chen et al, 2014)
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