Ultra-fast laser modification of LaYbZrCeO7 thermal barrier coating surface and its hydrophobic behavior

Hydrophobic surfaces are pivotal for self-cleaning, anti-icing, and corrosion resistance. Developing hydrophobic LaYbZrCeO 7 thermal barrier coating (TBC) offers an effective strategy to mitigate adhesion and corrosion induced by molten CMAS. In this paper, a periodic tip array with an average diameter of 100 μm and height of 45 μm was fabricated on LaYbZrCeO 7 TBC using femtosecond laser processing. Compared to the original coating, the periodic tip array increased non-polar C C bonds by 14.35 % and decreased polar C-O-C, O-C=O, and -OH bonds by 7.26 %, 7.09 %, and 19.66 %, respectively, thereby reducing the surface polarity. Additionally, droplets form a “solid-gas-liquid” three-phase contact with the periodic tip array, reducing solid-liquid interaction and enhancing hydrophobicity. The average contact angles on the LaYbZrCeO 7 tip array and original coating were 145.2° and 58.4°, respectively, demonstrating the array's hydrophobicity. In addition, the contact angle between the periodic tip array and molten CMAS is 59.6°, which is significantly higher than the original coating's 19.6°.These results offer novel insights into enhancing the resistance of LaYbZrCeO 7 TBC against adhesion and corrosion from molten CMAS.