TMES-modified SiO2 matrix non-fluorinated superhydrophobic coating for long-term corrosion resistance of aluminium alloy

Using the non-fluorinated self-assembly deposition of TMES-modified SiO2, we developed a superhydrophobic coating on aluminium alloy with long-term water repellency and corrosion resistance. Surface morphology and chemical composition were determined with SEM and XPS respectively, to understand the existence of superhydrophobicity. As we expected, the coating displayed excellent repellency to water (WSA: 1 degrees), which was confirmed from the lotus effect. Such a coating showed positive E-corr and low i(corr) in comparison to bare aluminium alloy substrate. Notably, the impedance modulus of coating was able to reach the level of 10(8) pi cm(2). In addition, the coating maintained superhydrophobicity even after continuous immersion for 5 days, on the basis of its WSA of similar to 4 degrees and WCA of similar to 150 degrees The corrosion protection efficiency of the coating was greater than 99.5% even through lasting immersion in NaCl for 5 days, which indicates excellent anti-corrosion performance.