Low-cost and large-scale fabrication method for an environmentally-friendly superhydrophobic coating on magnesium alloy

A low-cost and large-scale fabrication method to an environmentally-friendly superhydrophobic coating on magnesium alloy is reported in this paper. The rough surface structure could be facilely obtained by electrodeposition of copper. Then the rough surface could be changed from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic via modification with lauric acid. The as-prepared coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), electrochemical corrosion test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The as-prepared superhydrophobic coatings have ultra-low slide angles (2) and contact angles of 154. Our method is of great value for the industrial fabrication of superhydrophobic coatings. It has an excellent anti-corrosion effect and self-cleaning effect. An environmentally-friendly superhydrophobic coating with hierarchical structure has been successfully fabricated on magnesium alloy by a facile method.