Two-step electrodeposition of superhydrophobic cu-Ni/cerium stearate coatings for robust anticorrosion in harsh environments

Superhydrophobic coatings have emerged as a promising solution for enhancing the durability and longevity of metallic materials in various industrial applications, especially in the field of metal anti-corrosion. However, previous coatings were complicated to prepare and exhibited limited corrosion resistance performance. In this study, we developed a corrosion-resistant and superhydrophobic coating with comprehensive protective capabilities using an environmentally benign and highly efficient two-step electrodeposition approach. This coating can be deposited on contoured surfaces for the corrosion protection of metallic substances. In the first electrodeposition step, sodium citrate was employed to promote the combination of copper and nickel, forming a rough copper‑nickel coating. In the second step, a cerium stearate coating was fabricated and modified. The morphology, structure, and corrosion resistance of the coating were comprehensively characterized. The results showed that the static contact angle of water on the coating could reach up to 155° at most, and the corrosion current density could be as low as 2.51 × 10 −10 A/cm 2 , enabling 1500 h immersion resistance in 10 wt% NaCl solution. Moreover, the coating's outstanding comprehensive performance enables it to withstand various harsh natural environments. This study provides a new theoretical support for the corrosion protection of metals under adverse natural conditions.