A rapid two-step method for fabrication of superhydrophobic-superoleophobic nickel/copper alloy coating with self-cleaning and anticorrosion properties

In this study, the nickel/copper (Ni/Cu) alloy coating with layered micro/nanostructures was prepared on a brass substrate by the controlled generation of particles during the electrochemical co-deposition of nickel and copper ions. Subsequently, the surface of Ni/Cu alloy (NCA) coating was modified by 1 H,1 H,2 H,2 H-per-fluorodecyltrimethoxysilane (PFDS), so that the prepared PFDS/NCA composite (PNCA) coating had excellent super-amphiphobicity. The structures and properties of PNCA coating evaluated and described used a range of methods. The wettability tests shown that the water and oil contact angles of the optimal coating sample with current density of 0.08 A/cm(2) are 163 +/- 1.3? and 155 +/- 1.5?, respectively, and the sliding angle (SA) is no longer than 10?, indicating the high degree of super-amphiphobicity. Gratifyingly, the optimal PNCA coating exhibited good mechanical and chemical stabilities after knife scratching, tape peeling, sandpaper wear and chemical corrosion. The self-cleaning test shows that PNCA coatings have also outstanding self-cleaning ability, and the contaminants spread on their surfaces can be easily carried away by sealed droplets within 20 s. In addition, the corrosion resistances of PNCA coatings are greatly improved to compare with NCA coating, especially the corrosion rate of the optimal sample coating is the lowest, and the corrosion protection efficiency reaches to 91.73 %. Therefore, the conclusion can be depicted that the super-amphiphobic PNCA composite coatings prepared by electrochemical co-deposition combined with modification of low surface energy materials have a wide range of industrial prospects for applications in the fields of oil, fouling and corrosion resistances.

Automated summary

In this study, a nickel/copper alloy coating with layered micro/nanostructures was prepared on a brass substrate through controlled electrochemical co-deposition. The surface of the alloy coating was modified to achieve excellent super-amphiphobicity. The resulting composite coating exhibited outstanding performance in terms of wettability, self-cleaning ability, mechanical and chemical stability, as well as corrosion resistance, indicating its promising industrial applications.