Water-repellent and corrosion-resistance properties of superhydrophobic and lubricant-infused super slippery surfaces

Abstract

Inspired by lotus leaves and pitcher plants, superhydrophobic surfaces and super slippery surfaces have been fabricated to improve the characteristics of AZ31 magnesium alloy surfaces. Here, a superhydrophobic surface with a hierarchical structure was constructed on a magnesium alloy surface via a one-step, environmentally friendly method, and a slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS) was obtained by immersing the superhydrophobic surface in perfluoropolyether. Compared with an untreated magnesium alloy and the prepared superhydrophobic coating, the SLIPS coating showed good corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution according to electrochemical tests. The present study provides more possibilities to extend the application of special wettable surfaces.