Formation of protective superhydrophobic films on AMg6 aluminum alloy by vapor-phase treatment

• A.A. Kudelina¹, A.M. Semiletov¹, E.S. Khudoleeva² and Yu.I. Kuznetsov¹

¹ Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31-4, Leninsky prospect, 119071 Moscow, Russia
² LDCSPA “NIIPAV”, Khimikov st., 62, 347366 Volgodonsk, Rostov region, Russia

Abstract: This study investigates the possibility of forming superhydrophobic (SHP) protective films on the surface of an AMg6 aluminum alloy via vapor-phase treatment with vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) and a mixture of phosphoric acid esters, namely mono- and didodecyl phosphate (DDP). To create a uniformly heterogeneous rough structure, the alloy was pre-treated via laser irradiation. It was demonstrated that vapor-phase treatment with DDP induces a SHP state on the surface, yielding a contact angle of 156°. The protective performance of the resulting SHP films was evaluated using polarization measurements in a borate buffer solution containing 0.01 M NaCl, as well as corrosion tests involving sample immersion in a 0.05 M NaCl solution and under periodic moisture condensation conditions. It was found that the coating produced by layer-by-layer treatment of the alloy in VTMS and DDP vapors exhibits the best protective properties. Minor additions of CeCl₃ to the aggressive medium significantly enhance the protective properties of the SHP films.

Keywords: aluminum alloys, corrosion, superhydrophobicity, cerium chloride, alkylphosphates, vapor deposition

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2026, 15, no. 3, 543-555
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2026-15-3-24

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