Fabrication of biomimetic hydrophobic films with corrosion resistance on magnesium alloy by immersion process

• Published in: Applied surface science 2013-01, Vol.264, p.527-532
• Main Authors: Liu, Yan, Lu, Guolong, Liu, Jindan, Han, Zhiwu, Liu, Zhenning
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomimetic film; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrophobic; Immersion process; Magnesium alloy; Physics
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.10.058

► We have developed a facile and simple method of creating a hydrophobic surface on a magnesium alloy by an immersion process at room temperature. ► The distribution of the micro-structure and the roughness of the surface play critical roles in transforming from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. ► The hydrophobic coatings possess better corrosion resistance than magnesium alloy matrix. Biomimetic hydrophobic films of crystalline CeO2 were prepared on magnesium alloy by an immersion process with cerium nitrate solution and then modified with DTS (CH3(CH2)11Si(OCH3)3). The CeO2 films fabricated with 20-min immersion yield a water contact angle of 137.5±2°, while 20-min DTS treatment on top of CeO2 can further enhance the water contact angle to 146.7±2°. Then corrosion-resistant property of these prepared films against NaCl solution was investigated and elucidated using electrochemical measurements.