Superhydrophobic copper surface fabricated by one-step immersing method in fatty acid salt aqueous solution for excellent anti-corrosion and oil/water separation properties

One-step immersing method is proposed to fabricate superhydrophobic coating on the surface of copper plate and copper mesh in sodium laurate or sodium decanoate aqueous solution. The appropriate concentration range of fatty acid sodium salts and the immersing time are investigated systematically, exhibiting a short immersing time (3h) to form superhydrophobic surfaces. The sheet structures on the superhydrophobic surfaces are confirmed by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction measurements. The formation mechanism is analyzed according to the X-ray photoelectron spectroscope and Fourier transform infrared reflectance spectra measurements. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements indicate the excellent anti-corrosion property with corrosion inhibition efficiency of 99.14% in Yellow Sea water. The superhydrophobic copper mesh is proved to be applicable for a variety of oil/water separation, including oils in lab and in daily life. The superhydrophobic copper surface fabricated in this paper will have potential applications in the protection of metal corrosion and the removal of oil contamination.