Corrosion-resistant superhydrophobic films on galvanized steel by one-step electrodeposition

A simple one-step electrodeposition method is proposed to fabricate corrosion-resistant superhydrophobic films on hot-dip galvanized steel without using low surface-energy materials. The effects of electrodeposition time on surface morphology, surface composition, surface roughness, wettability, and corrosion resistance of the electrodeposited zinc films were investigated. The results revealed that the morphological structures and roughnesses of the deposited zinc films were varied by the electrodeposition times. The roughened zinc films naturally reduced their surface energy during storage for 10 days as the formation of functional groups, transforming them to superhydrophobic and/or nearly superhydrophobic. The electrodeposited superhydrophobic films significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of the hot-dip galvanized steel. Among them, the 20 min electrodeposition time gave the appropriate morphology and roughness to achieve a superhydrophobic surface with the optimum corrosion inhibition property. [Display omitted]