Corrosion performance of a steel surface modified by a robust graphene-based superhydrophobic film with hierarchical roughness

Abstract Potentiostatic deposition of cobalt film and cobalt-graphene, Co-G, composite, followed by modification with low surface energy stearic acid (SA), was used to fabricate superhydrophobic films on a steel substrate successfully. A scanning electron microscope analyze the morphology prepared modified acid, Co-SA, cobalt-graphene Co-G-SA. The findings show that both fabricated have micro-nanostructures. Co-G-SA shows higher roughness due network structures graphene so exhibits superhydrophobicity. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, FTIR, results confirm formation Co-SA surface. wettability they exhibit superhydrophobicity, where contact angles 155° 158°, respectively. Potentiodynamic polarization value corrosion current density for coated (0.7094 µA) is lower than bare (0.1457 mA), while has lowest (0.1732 µA). electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, charge transfer resistance 38 times steel, 57 steel. EIS resistance. mechanical stability (maintains superhydrophobicity until 900 abrasion cycles), chemical (has in pH range 1–13), long-term (retains after 30 days 0.5 M NaCl solution) solution.