In order to further enhance its anti-corrosion properties as a surface coating for protecting various materials from corrosion, polyurethane (PU) needs to be modified by adjusting the chemical composition and interface structure. In this work, a series of functionalized graphene (FG) reinforced PU nanocomposite coatings with regular texture were fabricated using a replication method. The structural and morphological properties of the as-prepared PU composite coatings were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Results showed that FG was dispersed homogeneously in the PU matrix after chemical modification. Moreover, the morphology of the obtained coatings showed a circular cone with a diameter of 8 μm spaced 8, 6 and 4 μm apart, respectively. Most importantly, the presence of surface texture and well-dispersed FG effectively enhanced the anti-corrosion properties of the textured FG/PU composite coating. It is attributed to the hydrophobicity and barrier effect of the obtained coatings, which not only reduce the contact and interaction between water and the surfaces, but also increase the tortuosity of the corrosive medium diffusion pathway.

Aluminum alloys with novel binary anti-corrosion structures on the surface showing superhydrophobic properties were fabricated via chemical etching, anodic oxidation and chemical modification. Surface morphologies and chemical elements of the as-prepared films were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscope. Surface wettability was investigated by the contact angle meter. Manipulation of surface morphology by anodic oxidation current density and the influence of surface chemical modification on the wettability were investigated. The anti-corrosion properties of the as-prepared films were characterized using an electrochemistry workstation. The results showed that surface water contact angle could reach 156° after chemical modification when the current density of anodic oxidation was 5 A dm−2. The corrosion potential (Ecorr) was positively increased from −1189 mV for bare Al alloys to −304 mV for the samples anodized at 5 A dm−2. The synergetic effect between the protective properties of air trapped in a low adhesion superhydrophobic surface and good barrier properties of the barrier layer of anodic oxidation film was remarkably enhanced the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloys. Influences of the anodic oxidation current density and the self-assembled films on the anti-corrosion performance were discussed in detail.

•The effect of filler shapes served by C60 and graphene on performances of epoxy composite coatings was evaluated.•The fullerene C60 and graphene were chemically modified to improve the dispersion and compatibility.•There existed optimal content of fullerene C60 and graphene for the tribological performance and anti-corrosion ability.•The tribological and anti-corrosion mechanisms of epoxy composite coatings reinforced by different fillers were analyzed.This study investigated the effects of incorporation of two different shapes functionalization fullerene C60 (FC60) and functionalization graphene (FG), into the polymer matrix on the tribological and anti-corrosion performances of epoxy coating. The structural and morphological characterization was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the functional groups had been grafted on the surface of C60 and G. The tribological and anti-corrosion results indicated that composite coatings showed a lower friction coefficient, wear traces area and higher anti-corrosion in comparison with neat epoxy, owing to the balance of reinforcement, lubrication and barrier properties of nanofillers and cracks generated by them, and optimal additive concentration of FC60 and FG both were 0.5 wt.%. Furthermore, this work opens up that FC60/EP coatings exhibited better tribological performance but worse corrosion resistance ability compared with FG/EP coatings due to the different shapes of nanofillers. Different tribological and anti-corrosion mechanisms were analyzed in details.Schematic of EP composite coating reinforcement with different shape FC60 and FG (a) and (b) during corrosion process, (c) and (d) during tribological process under dry sliding and seawater lubrication.

In this paper, stainless steel meshes with superhydrophobic and superoleophilic surfaces were fabricated by rapid and simple one-step immersion in a solution containing hydrochloric acid and stearic acid. The apparent contact angles were tested by a video contact angle measurement system (CA). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were conducted to characterize the surface topographies and chemical compositions. The SEM results showed that mesh surfaces were covered by ferric stearate (Fe[CH3(CH2)16COO]2) with low surface energy. The CA test results showed that the mesh had a maximum apparent contact angle of 160 ± 1.0° and a sliding angle of less than 5.0° for the water droplet, whereas the apparent contact angle for the oil droplet was zero. Ultrasound oscillation and exposure tests at atmospheric conditions and immersion tests in 3.5 wt % NaCl aqueous solution were conducted to confirm the mesh with excellent superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties. On the basis of the superhydrophobic mesh, a miniature separation device pump was designed to collect pure oil from the oil/water mixture. It showed that the device was easier and convenient. The techniques and materials presented in this work are promising for application to wastewater and oil spill treatment.

The nucleation mechanism of the preparation of a Ni–P deposit by the synergetic effect of electrochemical deposition and chemical deposition was studied using an electrochemical analysis method. Cathode polarization and chronoamperometry were performed to explore the effect of the reducing reaction (chemical deposition) on the electrochemical Ni deposition. It was found that the addition of reducing agent to the solution induced depolarization phenomena and decreased or removed the double electric layer capacitance. The chronoamperometry experimental data were analyzed and fitted according to the Scharifker–Hills rule to discover the difference in mechanism between the Ni nucleation and Ni–P nucleation. The morphology of Ni–P and the pure Ni deposits was measured by TEM and SEM demonstrating the ball-like particle shape of Ni–P and flat pure Ni deposits. Based on these experimental results, the nucleation mechanism was illustrated in which the active Ni atoms, produced by electrochemical deposition, act as a catalyst for the reduction of the nickel ions with the reducing agent NaH2PO2 on the cathode surface. The occurrence of the reducing reaction of the nickel ions with NaH2PO2 hindered the in-plane growth of crystalline nickel particles, generating the ball-like particle shape of the deposit. This work provides researchers new insights into the nucleation and growth process of synergetic deposition and offers novel ideas for the fabrication of functional materials by liquid deposition.

As an environmentally friendly antifouling strategy, a series of textured modified silicone surfaces with different textures, shapes and surface roughnesses were fabricated by mimicking the microstructures of abrasive paper via a simple replication method. The physical and chemical properties of the as-prepared coatings were systematically characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and contact angle measurements. The antifouling efficacy of all coatings was evaluated by recording the settlement of fouling microalgae, including Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Chlorella, in the laboratory. The results indicated that the positive and negative replicas of both 800-grit and 1200-grit abrasive paper with morphology feature sizes larger than algae size encouraged the algae settlement. Only the positive replica of 5000-grit abrasive paper whose morphology feature size was smaller than algae size was effective in inhibiting N. closterium, P. tricornutum and Chlorella, and the reduction ratios were 49%, 75% and 81%, respectively. The positive replica of 7000-grit abrasive paper can reduce the amount of N. closterium and P. tricornutum by 29% and 57%, respectively. But it can't inhibit the settlement of Chlorella. The effect of surface morphology and wettability on the antifouling performance of textured coatings was discussed.

In order to improve the mechanical durability, polyurethane (PU) needs to be modified to enhance the tribological and anti-corrosion properties. In this work, we fabricated a series of PU composite coatings reinforced with functionalized graphene (FG) and functionalized graphene oxide (FGO). The structural and morphological features of the composite coatings were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the dispersion and compatibility of graphene and graphene oxide were improved via chemical modification. Moreover, they effectively enhanced the tribological and anti-corrosion properties of PU composite coatings, whose optimized additive range was between 0.25 wt% and 0.5 wt%. The effect depends on the balance of lubrication and barrier of fillers and cracks generated by them. Finally, in comparison with FG/PU coatings, the FGO/PU coatings exhibited a better tribological property but worse anti-corrosion property owing to the abundant oxygenated groups of GO. They led to stronger interfacial interactions between FGO and the PU matrix, but destroyed the graphene lattice structure to some extent.

Siloxane modified acrylic resin coatings with positive and negative replication textures were successfully fabricated by biomimicking the surface structures of natural lotus leaf and white crab shell via a replication method. The physical and chemical properties of the as-prepared coatings were systematically characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, AFM and contact angle measurements. Moreover, the antifouling (AF) property of the biomimetic textured surfaces was tested via the settlement assay with two microalgae of different sizes. The results indicated that the micromastoids and microdimples of the lotus leaf and white crab shell could significantly inhibit the settlement of microalgae. Both biomimetic textured coatings with positive and negative lotus leaf morphology can reduce 73% attachment of Closterium and 74% attachment of Navicula. Both biomimetic textured coatings with positive and negative white crab shell morphology could reduce over 65% attachment of Closterium and Navicula. Different antifouling mechanisms of the biomimetic textured coatings were analyzed based on three key factors, including surface wettability, morphology, and algae size.

•Three curing agents with different molecular structures were used to cure epoxy resins (EP).•The effect of molecular structures on the tribological and anti-corrosion properties of EP was evaluated.•The tribological and anti-corrosion mechanisms of EP coatings were analyzed.In order to study the influence of curing agent molecular structure on the tribological and corrosion behaviors of epoxy resin (EP) coatings, EP coatings were cured by three kinds of curing agents with different molecular structures including diethylenetriamine (DETA), isophorone diamine (IPDA) and m-phenylenediamine (m-PDA). The curing degree of EP coatings was identified by flourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The element composition and chemical bond structure of the as-prepared coatings were tested by X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The tribological properties of the as-prepared coatings were assessed by UMT-3 multi-functional tribology test equipment and surface profiler. The anti-corrosion behaviors of the coatings were evaluated by an electrochemistry workstation in 3.5 wt% NaCl. The internal structure and wear trace morphologies of the coatings were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using of curing agents with different molecular structures resulted in different tribological and anti-corrosion properties for EP coating. While the coefficient of friction (COF) of EP coating cured by m-PDA was the highest, the one cured by DETA was the lowest, which may be due to the linear and flexible chain offered less resistance during the sliding process and hence it displayed the lowest COF. Besides, the anti-corrosion performance of EP coating cured by IPDA was the best and the one cured by m-PDA was the poorest, which may be attributed to molecular structure and molecular weight which can influence the crosslink network and interface structure of EP coatings significantly. At last, the tribological and anti-corrosion mechanisms of EP coatings with different molecular structures were discussed in detail.Fracture surfaces morphologies of EP coatings cured by three kinds of curing agents with different molecular structures. (a) DETA cured; (b) IPDA cured and (c) m-PDA cured.

Aluminum alloy surfaces with micro/nano-structures were fabricated via a simple chemical etching (CE) method. After chemical modification with perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDS), n-octadecyltriethoxysilane (OTS) and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS), surfaces with different wettability were obtained. The morphology and chemical elements of the as-prepared surfaces were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, the influence of the surface morphology and chemical modification on the wetting/dewetting properties was investigated. Finally, the anti-corrosion and tribological properties of the as-prepared self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were characterized using an electrochemical workstation and UMT-3 tribometer. The influence of surface morphology and SAMs on the anti-corrosion and tribological performances is discussed in detail. The results showed that the optimal preparation conditions consisted of a 40% volume fraction of hydrochloric acid with a CE time of 2 min. The corrosion resistance of the surfaces chemically modified with hydrophobic groups was much better than that of those modified with hydrophilic groups. Also, the combination of micro/nano-structures and suitable SAMs on aluminum alloy surfaces could greatly enhance the friction reduction and wear resistance behavior.

•DLC-IL composite films with micro-grooves patterned surfaces were fabricated.•Adhesion and friction forces were reduced with increase of micro-groove density•Thin ILs film can further reduce the adhesion and friction forces of surface.•The microtribological performance of patterned DLC films was also enhanced.•This study can aid the design and selection of appropriate pattern parameters.Both of surface topography and chemical composition play important roles in affecting the adhesive force and friction force in micro/nano-electromechanical systems (M/NEMS). Two effective approaches of reducing adhesion and friction of contacting interfaces are to create patterned surface and lower surface energy, which are especially beneficial for M/NEMS production yield and product reliability. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films with high hardness, low friction coefficient and good wear resistance have aroused particular interest as protective film. Also, ionic liquids (ILs) display better tribological properties than that of conventional lubricants, such as PFPE and X-1P. In this article, we present a novel method to fabricate the micro-patterned DLC-IL films by combination of by combination of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching method, magnetron sputtering technology and dip-coating method. DLC films with different packing density micro-grooves were prepared by controlling the photolithography design. The morphologies and surface chemical states of DLC and DLC-IL films were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), XPS and Raman. The adhesion and friction on the as-prepared DLC and DLC-IL films were studied by colloidal probe mounted on AFM cantilever in contact mode. The microtribological behaviors of the DLC and DLC-IL films were evaluated by UMT-3 tribometer in a ball-on-plate reciprocating mode. The experimental results showed that adhesive force and friction force of the DLC films with micro-grooves reduced effectively with increase of groove area density and incorporation of thin ILs film. The corresponding synergetic anti-adhesion and friction reduction mechanisms of surface pattern and chemical modification were discussed and clarified with emphasis. The lowered adhesion and friction force were attributed to two factors including (1) the reduced real area of contact between DLC films and colloidal tip; (2) incorporation of thin ILs films to avoid direct contact between DLC films and colloidal tip, which facilitating the sliding of colloidal tip on DLC films.In this article, we present a novel method to fabricate the micro-patterned DLC-IL films by combination of ICP, magnetron sputtering technology and dip-coating method. DLC films with different packing density micro-grooves were prepared by controlling the photolithography design. The morphologies and surface chemical states of DLC and DLC-IL films were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), XPS and Raman. The adhesion and friction on the as-prepared DLC and DLC-IL films were studied by colloidal probe mounted on AFM cantilever in contact mode. The microtribological behaviors of the DLC and DLC-IL films were evaluated by UMT-3 tribometer in a ball-on-plate reciprocating mode. The experimental results showed that adhesive force and friction force of the DLC films with micro-grooves reduced effectively with increased of groove area density and incorporation of thin ILs film. The corresponding synergetic anti-adhesion and friction reduction mechanisms of surface pattern and chemical modification were discussed and clarified with emphasis.