Electrodeposited superhydrophobic mesoporous silica films co-embedded with template and corrosion inhibitor for active corrosion protection

We fabricate an inhibitor (benzotriazole, BTA)-loaded mesoporous silica film by one-step electrodeposition on aluminum alloy AA2024 substrate and further produce superhydrophobicity after surface modification with dodecyltrimethoxysilane (DTMS). Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) is used both as a template to form mesoporous structure of silica film and as a carrier to encapsulate BTA into mesopores. One-step electrodeposition avoids utilization of organic solvents and other complex steps (e.g. removal of template agents and post-loading of inhibitors). The release of inhibitor is pH-responded, making superhydrophobic film a smart and active protection system.