Durable and regenerable superhydrophobic coatings for aluminium surfaces with excellent self-cleaning and anti-fogging properties

In this work, by employing chemical etching technique with hydrochloric acid, followed by passivation with lauric acid, superhydrophobic aluminum surfaces were synthesized. The surface morphology analysis reveals the presence of rough microstructures on coated aluminium surface and contact angle increases with etching time as enhancement of surface roughness. Superhydrophobicity with water static contact angle of 172 +/- 5 degrees and sliding angle of 4 +/- 0.5 degrees is achieved. Coating exhibits the excellent self-cleaning and anti-fogging properties. Coating shows the excellent mechanical, chemical, UV, and thermal stability. Additionally coating shows the excellent regeneration capability. This approach can be applied to any size and shape of aluminium surface and hence has great industrial applications.