Fabrication of Durability Superhydrophobic LDH Coating on Zinc Sheet Surface Via NH4F-assisted In-Situ Growth and Post-Modification for Enhancing Anti-Corrosion and Anti-Icing

In this work, a superhydrophobic layered double hydroxide (LDH) coating was fabricated on zinc sheet surface by in-situ growth and post-modification technology. The obtained zinc sheet exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle (WCA) of 160 degrees and a water sliding angle (WSA) of 5 degrees. To determine the mechanical stability, chemical stability, storage stability of the superhydrophobic LDH coating on zinc surface, sandpaper abrasion test, tape-peeling test, immersion test and long-term exposure to the outdoors were employed. The results of stability test suggested that the LDH coating on zinc surface possessed excellent superhydrophobic stability (WCA > 150 degrees, WSA < 10 degrees) during all kinds of harsh conditions except pH = 1, indicating the superior adaptability to outdoor environment. More importantly, the superhydrophobic LDH coating on zinc surface exhibited excellent anti-corrosion efficiency (eta = 99.99%) and delay icing ability (t = 75 min), which was beneficial to the application of zinc in a variety of practical fields.