Research Article
Rafik Abbas, Ahmed Hefnawy,
Abstract
Durable superhydrophobic surface on metal substrates was fabricated using very applicable method. The fabrication method aimed to decrease surface free energy and increase surface roughness at same time the process have been accomplished via the addition of silica nano particles with Dodecyltrimethoxysilane (DCTES) bonded to the surface of the silica particles. Adhesive polystyrene was added to improve bond between substrate and functionalized silica. The method is cheap, promising to be applied in factories heat exchangers to reduce fouling and corrosion on the large industrial scale. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for surface morphology analysis, showing the roughness produced by surface treatment. The wettability of the micro-nano silica film varied from hydrophilicity (water contact angle 88°) to superhydrophobicity (water contact angle 165.2°), while sliding contact angles dramatically decreased (<4°) by adding Functionalized silica and/or adhesive polymer. Roughness increased with silica increment which improves the wettability. The coatings were electrochemically characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarization curves; it was found that both systems had good performance against corrosion in 3.5% sodium chloride solution.