Facile fabrication of superhydrophobic surface with needle-like microflower structure on aluminum substrate

A superhydrophobic surface on aluminum substrate was fabricated by creating a needle-like microflower structure based on a simple hydrothermal synthesis process, and subsequently reducing the surface free energy via the self-assembly of lauric acid. The surface morphology, chemical compositions, and hydrophobicity of the as-prepared films on aluminum substrates were measured using a scanning electron microscope, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and water contact angle ( WCA) measurements. The optimal hydrothermal synthesis conditions, such as reaction temperature, reaction time, and the concentration of zinc ion, were investigated. In addition, the formation mechanism of the microstructure on aluminum surface was also examined. The results showed the surface of aluminum substrate was endowed with a needle-like microflower structure when hydrothermal synthesis was conducted at 90 degrees C for 2 h with 6 mMof zinc ion concentration. In addition, the as-prepared superhydrophobic aluminum surface has a WCA as high as 154.2 degrees and a sliding angle close to 0 degrees.