Preparation of super-hydrophobic Cu/Ni coating with micro-nano hierarchical structure

Micro-nano hierarchical structured Cu/Ni multilayer coating was prepared by a simple two-step method combined with electroless and electro deposition. Structure and morphology of the as-prepared Cu/Ni multilayer coating were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Results show that micro-nano Cu/Ni coating is well-crystallized and exhibits sea cucumber-like microstructure with Ni nanocone arrays uniformly dispersed perpendicular to the circular conical surface of Cu cone. Static contact angles were measured to investigate the surfaces' wettability. The result reveals that the Cu/Ni multilayer coating is super-hydrophobic, of which the static contact angle with test liquid (water) was 156°(> 150°).Due to its super-hydrophobic property and unique shape, Cu/Ni multilayer coating is expected to have extensive practical applications.

► We created a two-step method to fabricate hierarchical Cu/Ni coating.
► Novel Cu/Ni coating consists of Cu cones ~5 μm high and Ni nano-cone array ~500 nm high.
► Cu/Ni coating exhibits super-hydrophobic property.
► It is expected to have extensive applications.