Anti-corrosion and anti-icing properties of superhydrophobic laser-textured aluminum surfaces

Abstract

Superhydrophobic surfaces have favorable properties in simultaneously reducing the negative effects of corrosion and ice accumulation. In this study, laser-texturing was employed as a facile and environmentally friendly surface method to prepare a surface with hierarchical roughness for subsequent grafting by immersion in an ethanol solution containing 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS-10). Various analytical techniques were utilized to assess the characteristics of the laser-textured aluminum surfaces before and after grafting, such as a contact profilometer, optical tensiometer, scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive spectroscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. These methods were used to evaluate surface roughness, wettability, morphology, and composition. The corrosion properties were evaluated through potentiodynamic and impedance measurements in a dilute Harrison's solution (DHS) composed of 0.35 wt% (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 0.05 wt% NaCl. Additionally, freezing delay tests at various surface temperatures were performed to assess the surface's ability to prevent the freezing of water droplets on the treated surface. The laser-textured aluminum surface, featuring micro/nanostructures and a grafted nanoscopic perfluoroalkyl silane film, exhibited outstanding superhydrophobicity and enhanced corrosion protection. The developed surface has been shown to significantly delay the onset of ice nucleation and extend the freezing delay.