Super-hydrophobic surface treatment as corrosion protection for aluminum in seawater

“Underwater super-hydrophobic” surface applied in the corrosion protection was prepared by melting myristic acid (CH3(CH2)12COOH) adsorbed onto the anodized aluminum. The static contact angle for seawater on the surface was measured to be 154°. The surface structure and composition were then characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The electrochemical measurements showed that the super-hydrophobic surface significantly improved the corrosion resistance of aluminum in sterile seawater. In addition, the mechanism of the underwater super-hydrophobic surface applied in the corrosion resistance was discussed using a schematic.