Green approach to fabrication of a super-hydrophobic film on copper and the consequent corrosion resistance

A green approach was used to fabricate super-hydrophobic film with capsaicin (N-(4-hydroxy-3methoxybenzyl)-8-methylnon-trans-6-enamide), pungent ingredient of cayenne. The film is composed of capsaicin that coordinates with Cu(II) through pi orbital of benzene ring. Super-hydrophobic property of film can be attributed to nanospherical pores of its structure and low surface energy of its hydrocarbon chain. Super-hydrophobic film shows >99.9% efficiency as a barrier that inhibits corrosion of underlying Cu without losing its stability within a wide potential range. This performance can be attributed to isolating action and insulating property of air trapped in film. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.