Preparation of a superamphiphobic surface on a common cast iron substrate

A superamphiphobic (super-repellent) surface with both water and rapeseed oil contact angle higher than 150 degrees was prepared on a common cast iron substrate. The water and rapeseed oil contact angles were 158 +/- 1.9 degrees and 151 +/- 1.7 degrees, respectively. The sliding angles of water and rapeseed oil on the superamphiphobic surface were 2 degrees and 16 degrees, respectively. Scanning electron microscope images showed that many interesting microflower-like microstructures comprised many nanorods with the average diameter of about 200 nm, which were distributed on the superamphiphobic cast iron substrate. Each nanorod was composed of many smaller nanostructures and nano particles, which created interesting micro-nano binary structures similar to the surface microstructures of lotus leaves. When kept in an ambient environment for 6 months, no rust was observed on the superamphiphobic cast iron substrate surface, which showed excellent corrosion resistance.