Development of methods for inhibiting the corrosion of metals and new options for their application: a review. Part III-1. Superhydrophobization of aluminum alloy surface as a way to inhibit corrosion

• Yu.I. Kuznetsov¹ and A.M. Semiletov²

¹ Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31-4, Leninsky prospect, 119071 Moscow, Russia
² Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry Russian Academy of Sciences, 31-4, Leninsky prospect, 119071 Moscow, Russia

Abstract: In this article, various methods for obtaining a superhydrophobic surface of Al or its alloys are analyzed. However, only a small part of them can be attributed to the authors’ attempts to find a one-step method for obtaining superhydrophobic (SHP) coatings on Al and its alloys. There is a method that is limited solely to etching or nanosecond laser ablation, i.e. to abandon the second very important step – treatment of the metal surface with already obtained polymodal roughness with a water-repellent agent. In this case, a roughness is created in which the air partially remains in the “gaps” of the rough surface, for example, with a successful selection of an etching compound, or resulting from exposure to a laser. The method of SHPh of the Al surface or its immersion of a degreased alloy sample in a solution containing an etchant (NaOH) and a water repellent agent (fluoroalkylsilane) deserves attention. This one-step method, when optimizing its process, allows achieving superhydrophobicity of the Al or its alloy surface, which protects them well from corrosion. The production of SHP coatings using the electrochemical method is also considered. It is also interesting that, although still little studied, a simple one-step hydrothermal method for obtaining an SHP surface can become an alternative to fluoride processes and thereby expand the functional applications of Al and its alloys. However, the vast majority of works devoted to methods for producing SHP coatings of Al and its alloys do not use a one-step process. They demonstrate the creation of a polymodal surface roughness and its subsequent passivation, forming adsorbate layers with low surface energy, since they reduce the affinity of water droplets to a solid surface.

Keywords: aluminum, aluminum alloys, corrosion, corrosion inhibitors, superhydro¬phobization

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2025, 14, no. 3, 1323-1346
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2025-14-3-16

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