Multifunctional slippery surface constructed via electrodeposited Ag dendrites on micro-arc oxidized titanium for enhanced anti-corrosion, anti-biofouling and anti-icing performance

Titanium metal and alloys, despite their intrinsic corrosion resistance, are prone to localized corrosion and severe biofouling when deployed in harsh marine environments, which severely compromises their long‑term reliability. To address these issues, we report a multi‑step interfacial engineering strategy for the construction of a slippery liquid‑infused porous surface (SLIPS) on TA2 titanium metal, wherein an electrodeposited dendritic Ag architecture serves as the pivotal multifunctional component. This dendritic Ag skeleton plays a triple role. It provides a rough hierarchical scaffold that, after thiol‑induced superhydrophobicity, firmly locks the infused dimethylsilicone oil to form a stable SLIPS. It acts as a reservoir for sustained Ag + release, conferring long‑lasting antibacterial activity. Moreover, its high thermal conductivity facilitates rapid heat dissipation, significantly reducing ice adhesion. Benefiting from this synergistic design, the resulting coating exhibits outstanding corrosion resistance, with a charge transfer resistance R ct of 4.61 × 10 7 Ω·cm 2 , which is two orders of magnitude higher than that of bare TA2 (7.52 × 10 5 Ω·cm 2 ). Concurrently, the integrated Ag⁺ release and thermal management functionalities endow the coating with potent anti‑biofouling (with inhibition efficiency larger than 90%) and high anti‑icing performance. This work demonstrates that the dendritic metallic skeleton can simultaneously act as a physical barrier, a chemical active source, and a thermal conductor, offering a novel and versatile approach for protecting Ti in the marine environment. Download: Download high-res image (144KB) Download: Download full-size image