Microwave-assisted fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces on aluminium foil and the anti-corrosion properties

Abstract

Superhydrophobic surface on aluminium (Al) substrate was successfully fabricated via a microwave-assisted process by immersing the clean pure Al substrate into the mixed solution of Zn(NO3)2 and hexamethylenetetramine, and modified with stearic acid (STA). Surface morphology and composition were characterised by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The wettability and the corrosion resistance properties of the surface modified with STA were characterised. The results show that the sample had a high water contact angle of about 155°. It has good anti-corrosion for alkali and 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solution. From SEM images, it was found that abundant regular micronano sheets distributed on the surface at random and there are large amount of interspace amount the sheets. The special structure and the low surface energy make the Al foil have superhydrophobic surfaces.