Fabrication of superhydrophobic zirconium surface with a facile electrodeposition process

摘要

A superhydrophobic zirconium film with a hierarchical knobbly structure was prepared by a one-step electrochemical method on the surface of steel. Wettability was determined with a water contact angle of 157° and a sliding angle of 3°. The morphology was characterized with scanning electron microscopy, and the microstructure seemed like it is composed of micro–nano complicated particles. Furthermore, according to the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, the chemical composition of the film was zirconium palmitate. Moreover, the chemical and mechanical stabilities of the asprepared superhydrophobic zirconium palmitate surface were characterized by means of electrochemical measurements and abrasion test, respectively. The superhydrophobic surface could yield a stable air–liquid interface by performing as a barrier, from which the diffusion of corrosive media was prevented. On the other hand, the asprepared surface exhibited a good self-cleaning effect, by which the accumulation of contaminants on the surface was not favorable.