Fabrication of a superhydrophobic graphene surface with excellent mechanical abrasion and corrosion resistance on an aluminum alloy substrate

Abstract

A superhydrophobic graphene film with excellent mechanical abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance was successfully deposited on Al alloy using a spin-coating method. The surface structure morphology, chemical composition, wettability, mechanical abrasion and corrosion resistance were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle measurements, wear tester and electrochemical workstation. It was found that the static water contact angle on the as-prepared surface was as high as 153.7 ± 2°. Furthermore, the as-prepared surface exhibited excellent mechanical abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance, which were studied by Tafel curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is expected that this simple and versatile methodology for preparing a graphene-reinforced coating can open up a new avenue, especially for multi-functional engineering materials, and be conveniently extended to other metal substrates.