A novel combination approach for the preparation of superhydrophobic surface on copper and the consequent corrosion resistance

•Superhydrophobic surface on copper substrates was obtained.•Water contact angle on Superhydrophobic copper substrates is 157.6°.•A persistent corrosion resistance was achieved in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution.

In this paper, superhydrophobic surfaces on copper substrates are prepared by combining the etching and calcination treatment processes. The surface morphologies, wettability, chemical composition and corrosion resistance are characterized by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The achieved superhydrophobic surface has a contact angle as high as 157.6° and a persistent corrosion resistance in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution. This method could provide an effective route to fabricate superhydrophobic surface with inhibitive and self-cleaning properties for various applications.