Electroplating of non fluorinated superhydrophobic Ni/WC/WS2 composite coatings with high abrasive resistance
Abstract Weak hierarchical rough structures on superhydrophobic surfaces hinder their practical industrial applications. This paper reports a strategy to fabricate robust nickel based superhydrophobic coatings via the codeposition of nanosized WS2 and WC particles. The Ni/WC/WS2 composite coatings were synthesized on mild steel substrates by one pot electroplating followed by the adsorption of stearic acid self assembled monolayers to modify the surface wetting. The particle concentration in the bath was investigated and the maximum water contact angle of approx. 170deg was achieved by optimizing the particle contained. Hardened by WC and lubricated by WS2 inclusions the superhydrophobic coatings showed remarkable abrasive resistance with a bearing capacity =10,000 mm abrasion length. The coatings also showed aerophilic behavior and good environmental stability over >6 months.
Applied Surface Science