Stable biomimetic superhydrophobicity and magnetization film with Cu-ferrite nanorods

We describe a simple and inexpensive method to produce lotus leaf-like Cu-ferrite films on copper alloy engineering materials fabricated via a sol-gel process and chemical modification. The films show stable superhydrophobicity and magnetization, even in many corrosive solutions, such as acidic or basic solutions, and also in oxidizing solutions. Water or aqueous solutions (pH = 2-13) have contact angles of 156 +/- 2 and 154 +/- 2 degrees on the treated surfaces of the Cu alloy, respectively. Such superhydrophobic films with magnetic properties will greatly extend the applications of Cu alloys under various weather and electromagnetic conditions.