Fabrication and corrosion resistance of superhydrophobic magnesium alloy

A superhydrophobic magnesium alloy (AZ91) is successfully fabricated by sulfuric acid etching, AgNO3 treatment, and dodecyl mercaptan (DM) modification. The effect of the fabrication procedure, the concentration and treatment time of sulfuric acid, AgNO3, and DM on morphology, phase structure, surface wettability, and surface composition of the AZ91 is investigated in detail. Consequently, the optimal treatment parameters are selected, and the superhydrophobic magnesium alloy with a water contact angle of 154A degrees and a sliding angle of 5A degrees is fabricated. The acid etching endows the AZ91 surface with rough structure while the AgNO3 treatment results in more protrusions and grooves. Meanwhile, the long hydrophobic alkyl chains are self-assembled onto the rough AZ91 surface upon DM modification. As a result, the multilayer of netlike surface with protrusions and grooves together with the coral-like structure is obtained. Additionally, the magnesium alloy with higher water contact angle has better corrosion resistance, while the magnesium alloy with the superhydrophobic property has the best corrosion resistance.