Enhanced corrosion resistance and self-cleaning properties of superhydrophobic nickel coating fabricated by one-step electrodeposition

In order to fabricate the stable superhydrophobic coatings with antifouling and anticorrosion functions. In this study, a series of nickel-coated superhydrophobic surfaces were designed on carbon steel (CS) using a one-step electrodeposition route. The structures of the prepared superhydrophobic Ni (SN) coatings were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the wettability was also tested by contact angle goniometer. The findings displayed that the hierarchical micro-flower structures of the optimal SN coating (0.64 A of circuit density and 9.5 min of deposition time) imparted it excellent superhydrophobic property; the water contact angle (CA) and sliding angle (SA) were 168 ± 1.1° and 4.7 ± 0.6°, respectively. The optimal SN coating was found to have superior mechanical and chemical stabilities, as tested by knife scratching, adhesive tape peeling, sandpaper abrasion, and chemical corrosion resistance. Additionally, the optimal SN coating exhibited outstanding self-cleaning property, anti-corrosion, and superhydrophobic stability. Based on these results, it appears that SN coating prepared by one-step electrodeposition can solve the defect of insufficient long-term durability of electrodepositied superhydrophobic coatings, and has potential industrial application prospects.