4.8 Article

Highly Efficient and Large-Scale Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Alumina Surface with Strong Stability Based on Self-Congregated Alumina Nanowires

Journal

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
Volume 6, Issue 7, Pages 4831-4841

Publisher

AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/am4057858

Keywords

hierarchical structures; aluminum; superhydrophobicity; electrochemical anodization; stability; mechanical durability; surface free energy

Funding

  1. National Natural Science Foundation of China [51373055, 21103053]
  2. National Program on Key Basic Research Project [2012CB932900]
  3. Cooperation Project in Industry, Education and Research of Guangdong Province
  4. Ministry of Education of China [2011B090400376]

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In this study, a large-area superhydrophobic alumina surface with a series of superior properties was fabricated via an economical, simple, and highly effective one-step anodization process, and subsequently modified with low-surface-energy film. The effects of the anodization parameters including electrochemical anodization time, current density, and electrolyte temperature on surface morphology and surface wettability were investigated in detail. The hierarchical alumina pyramids-on-pores (HAPOP) rough structure which was produced quickly through the one-step anodization process together with a low-surface-energy film deposition [1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PDES) and stearic acid (STA)] confer excellent superhydrophobicity and an extremely low sliding angle. Both the PDES-modified superhydrophobic (PDES-MS) and the STA-modified superhydrophobic (STA-MS) surfaces present fascinating nonwetting and extremely slippery behaviors. The chemical stability and mechanical durability of the PDES-MS and STA-MS surfaces were evaluated and discussed. Compared with the STA-MS surface, the as-prepared PDES-MS surface possesses an amazing chemical stability which not only can repel cool liquids (water, HCl/NaOH solutions, around 25 degrees C), but also can show excellent resistance to a series of hot liquids (water, HCl/NaOH solutions, 30-100 degrees C) and hot beverages (coffee, milk, tea, 80 degrees C). Moreover, the PDES-MS surface also presents excellent stability toward immersion in various organic solvents, high temperature, and long time period. In particular, the PDES-MS surface achieves good mechanical durability which can withstand ultrasonication treatment, finger-touch, multiple fold, peeling by adhesive tape, and even abrasion test treatments without losing superhydrophobicity. The corrosion resistance and durability of the diverse-modified superhydrophobic surfaces were also examined. These fascinating performances makes the present method suitable for large-scale industrial fabrication of chemically stable and mechanically robust superhydrophobic surfaces.

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