One-step method for the fabrication of superhydrophobic surface on magnesium alloy and its corrosion protection, antifouling performance

Inspired by the lotus leaf, various methods to fabricate artificial superhydrophobic surfaces have been developed. Our purpose is to create a simple, one-step and environment-friendly method to construct a superhydrophobic surface on a magnesium alloy substrate. The substrate was immersed in a solution containing ferric chloride (FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O), deionized water, tetradecanoic acid (CH3(CH2)(12)COOH) and ethanol. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) were employed to characterize the substrate surface. The obtained surface showed a micron rough structure, a high contact angle (CA) of 165 degrees +/- 2 degrees and desirable corrosion protection and antifouling properties. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.