Super-hydrophobic film prepared on zinc and its effect on corrosion in simulated marine atmosphere

Zinc–laurylamine complex film with super-hydrophobicity is fabricated on zinc surface with electrolysis method. Super-hydrophobicity of film results from papillae and ridge-like structures, which form due to uneven corrosion of zinc at high anodic potential. The film obtained can maintain super-hydrophobic property in solution system, and can inhibit corrosion effectively. However, saline water penetrates into super-hydrophobic film during deliquescence process of NaCl particle in simulated marine environment. This behavior is induced by capillary condensation in groove of film, and it declines the advantage of using super-hydrophobic film as corrosion barrier in marine atmosphere.

► Super-hydrophobic film is fabricated on zinc surface with electrolysis method.
► The formation mechanism of super-hydrophobic film is proposed.
► The deliquescence process of NaCl on super-hydrophobic film is clarified.
► Failure mechanism of super-hydrophobic film in marine atmosphere is discussed.