Femtosecond laser fabrication and chemical coating of anti-corrosion ethylene-glycol repellent aluminum surfaces

Abstract

Ethylene glycol (EG) is widely used as a cooling agent in factories, aviation, and automobiles. However, its corrosive nature can create significant damage and reduce the life cycle of devices. This paper compares three different methods to achieve the superhydrophobic anti-corrosion aluminum surfaces for working in an engine coolant environment. The methods are combinations between femtosecond laser fabrication and chemical coatings using Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Triethoxy-1H,1H,2H,2H-tridecafluoro-n-octylsilane (TTFOS). All the samples show superhydrophobicity with contact angles greater than 150°, and sliding angles smaller than 10°. The superhydrophobic surface (SHS) show the best corrosion rate up to three orders of magnitude compared to flat surfaces when working in an engine coolant environment. Moreover, corrosion inhibition efficiencies of the fabricated surfaces impress the best results greater than 98%. The anti-corrosion behavior of the SHS is explained. After comparing the performances of the surfaces fabricated by three methods, the most suitable method is proposed to produce anti-corrosion aluminum surfaces for applications using engine coolant as an environment.