Fabrication of corrosion resistant mussel-yarn like superhydrophobic composite coating on aluminum surface

study presents a simple approach to fabricate superhydrophobic composite coating on aluminum surface from the hybrid assembly of inorganic-organic layers via electroless copper deposition (as roughness inducer) followed by surface modification with laurylamine (as a low surface energy material). We demonstrate the effect of immersion time on the water-repellency, upon increasing the assembly time from 1 to 3 h facilitating the transition between hydrophobic (133 degrees) and superhydrophobic (154 degrees) states. This transition results from the formation of mussel-yarn like texture, increases the discontinuities in the three-phase (solid-liquid-gas) thereby exhibits superhydrophobicity. The superhydrophobic composite coating possessed good chemical stability in different environments, but after exposure to heat and UV the coating loses its superhydrophobicity. Besides, after 30 days of exposure in open air, the superhydrophobic composite coating restores its water-repellent property indicating excellent weathering resistance. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the as-synthesized superhydrophobic composite coating significantly improved the corrosion resistance of aluminum substrate in 3.5 wt. % NaCl medium. This strategy would potentially be used in numerous applications, such as regulating the wettability of surfaces and corrosion resistance of metal substrates. (C) 2017 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.