Fabrication of robust superhydrophobic myristic acid/ZrO2 coating with improved anti-icing and anti-corrosion for concrete via a two-step method

To address the safety concerns associated with icing and corrosion of concrete-based facilities, a facile two-step process of sandpaper covering and spraying for fabricating a robust superhydrophobic myristic acid/ZrO2 coating (MAZ-RSC) on concrete surface was proposed. Sandpaper covering and ZrO2 modified with myristic acid were used to fabricate the superhydrophobic structure. An analysis of the resultant superhydrophobic concrete's surface morphology and chemical structure was performed. The formation mechanism of the obtained MAZ-RSC was discussed. Results indicate that the MAZ-RSC coating exhibited superior superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties with a contact angle of 161.3° and a sliding angle of 1.2°. The robust ability of the as-prepared MAZ-RSC coating was assessed through knife scratching, tape peeling, and sandpaper abrasion. The presence of ZrO2 enabled the MAZ-RSC to be a superhydrophobic hard coating. Meanwhile, the prepared coating was proven to possess a good active anti-icing ability and a strong anti-corrosion ability and to be easily de-iced. Further tests show that this coating can maintain excellent chemical resistance across a broad pH range because of its superior hydrophobicity and the chemical inertness of the ZrO2 particles. Thus, the as-prepared coating is expected to be adopted in practical areas such as roads, buildings and bridges.