Fabrication of superhydrophobic zirconium surface with a facile electrodeposition process

A superhydrophobic zirconium film with a hierarchical knobbly structure was prepared by a one-step electrochemical method on the surface of steel. Wettability was determined with a water contact angle of 157° and a sliding angle of 3°. The morphology was characterized with scanning electron microscopy, and the microstructure seemed like it is composed of micro–nano complicated particles. Furthermore, according to the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, the chemical composition of the film was zirconium palmitate. Moreover, the chemical and mechanical stabilities of the as-prepared superhydrophobic zirconium palmitate surface were characterized by means of electrochemical measurements and abrasion test, respectively. The superhydrophobic surface could yield a stable air–liquid interface by performing as a barrier, from which the diffusion of corrosive media was prevented. On the other hand, the as-prepared surface exhibited a good self-cleaning effect, by which the accumulation of contaminants on the surface was not favorable.