Insights into the superhydrophobicity of metallic surfaces prepared by electrodeposition involving spontaneous adsorption of airborne hydrocarbons

- Several superhydrophobic metallic surfaces were fabricated by fast electrodeposition.
- Both micro/nanostructures and adsorption of airborne hydrocarbons make contributions.
- XPS analyses confirm presence of airborne hydrocarbons on these metallic surfaces.
- The adsorption of airborne hydrocarbons on the clean metal Au surface was very quick.
- UV-O3 treatment oxidized the hydrocarbons to hydrophilic oxygen-containing organics.