Preparation and corrosion protection performance of a pulse co-deposited Ni/Co/SiO2 hydrophobic composite coating

Ni/Co/SiO2 hydrophobic coatings were fabricated by embedding SiO2 nanoparticles into Ni/Co coatings using pulsed electrodeposition, followed by a liquid-phase hydrophobic treatment. Microstructure and morphology analysis of the composite coatings revealed that the SiO2 nanoparticles were homogenously distributed in the Ni/Co coating, and the surfaces of the samples were close-grained without crack. Furthermore, the SiO2 nanoparticles in the coating formed micro-nano structures on its surface, such that the contact angle reached 125° following the hydrophobic modification. The surface of the hydrophobic coating was found to be abrasion resistant and exhibited long-term stability in water. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of the Ni/Co/SiO2 hydrophobic coatings on a Q235 carbon steel substrate in simulated seawater solution reached 98.6%, indicating optimal anti-corrosion performance.