Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Nickel Films on Steel Surface With High Corrosion Resistance, Mechanical and Chemical Stability

Abstract

Superhydrophobic films were successfully grafted on a steel substrate using potentiostatic electrodeposition of nickel followed by treatment with myristic acid (MA). A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the surface topography of the prepared superhydrophobic films. The results revealed that the prepared Ni films modified by myristic acid have micro-nano structures. FTIR and XRD measurements showed that the steel substrate was coated with nickel film modified with myristic acid. Three different nickel films were prepared; the Ni-MA (I) deposited from pure sulfate bath (1.0 M NiSO₄), Ni-MA (II) deposited from pure nickel chloride bath (1.0 M NiCl₂. 6H₂O), and the third Ni-MA (III) film deposited from Watts bath (0.2M NiCl₂. 6H₂O and 0.8M NiSO₄). The superhydrophobic Ni-MA (I) film has the highest corrosion resistance, chemical stability, and mechanical abrasion resistance, while Ni-MA (II) film has the lowest properties.