Controlling Superhydrophobicity of Aluminum with Hierarchical Micro‐Nanostructure Film for Superb Self‐Cleaning and Anti‐Corrosion

Abstract

In this study, typical electrodeposition method was proposed to fabricate uniform CuO hierarchical micro-nanostructure on aluminum (Al) substrate. The superhydrophobic protective film was then fabricated by modifying stearic acid (STA) on this hierarchical CuO film. The static water contact angle reached up to 163°by coating CuO/STA film on Al substrate, and the rolling-off angle was as low as 3.7°. In addition, CuO/STA coated Al displayed wonderful non-sticking performance when the free-falling water droplets contact the surface. As expected, superb anti-corrosion properties of Al were achieved by coating superhydrophobic CuO/STA film on Al. The corrosion current density of CuO/STA coated Al decreased 2 orders of magnitude comparing with that of pristine Al, and the corrosion protection efficiency of CuO/STA coated Al reached up to 98 % in comparison with pristine Al. Therefore, superhydrophobic CuO/ STA film coated Al substrate greatly prolong the working life of Al materials in harsh working condition. The universal method used in this study also provides a potential route for coating superhydrophobic and anti-corrosion protective film on other metallic substrates or conductive substrates.

Fluoride Ions Effect on the Corrosion Behavior of Pure Aluminum in Deaerated 0.05 M Sulfuric Acid Solutions

“…[8] Due to the thermal and mechanical stability as well as soft metal, the low atomic mass of aluminum which is often composited to progress its other properties such as thermal conductivity, high strength, recyclability, resistance, low cost, and low pollution. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] The corrosion resistance of aluminum (Al) based materials arises to conform the usual oxide film on its outward that typically diminishes the corrosion rate as it is exposed through suitable environments [16][17][18][19][20] with the help of various substances such as organic, inorganic, [21] organic-inorganic hybrid, [22] metal oxides, [23] mixed metal oxides, [24] different micro-nanostructured films, [25] as well as metallic and polymeric nanocomposites, [26] as corrosion inhibitors. These type of properties made Al and Al based materials as well as its alloys to be considered in many applications such as packing and structural materials, aviation, ship building and transportation manufacturing along with aerospace industry.…”

Fabricating Superhydrophobic Protective Films with Enhanced Self‐Cleaning and Anti‐Corrosion Properties through Multiple Anodic Oxidations on Aluminum Alloys

“…[1] Due to their excellent characteristics of low density, high strength and easy processing, Al alloys are widely used in manufacturing aircrafts and motor vehicles, and also the critical components of ships, buildings and medical instruments. [2][3][4][5][6] However, Al alloys face many unfavorable factors during the utilization process, such as common corrosion and external surface contamination problems. [7] To develop Al alloys with high resistance to adverse factors, many researchers have conducted extensive investigations and proposed strategies to address these issues.…”

“…Aluminum (Al) as the most abundant metal element in the earth's crust, can be combined with copper, silicon, magnesium, zinc, manganese and other elements to form Al alloys [1] . Due to their excellent characteristics of low density, high strength and easy processing, Al alloys are widely used in manufacturing aircrafts and motor vehicles, and also the critical components of ships, buildings and medical instruments [2–6] . However, Al alloys face many unfavorable factors during the utilization process, such as common corrosion and external surface contamination problems [7] .…”