Double doped cerium-based superhydrophobic layered double hydroxide protective films grown on anodic aluminium surface

Cerium doped MgAl-layered double hydroxide (LDHs) were fabricated directly on the anodic aluminium surface and were further modified by PFDTS (1H, 1H, 2H, 2H perfluorododecyl trichlorosilane) through anion exchange reaction to obtain superhydrophobic characteristics for improved corrosion resistance and self-cleaning properties. PFDTS were hydrolyzed in absolute ethanol to obtain CF3(CF2)9CH2CH2Si(O−)3 groups, which were incorporated inside MgAl-LDH and have shown superhydrophobic characteristics by demonstrating the water contact angle of 156.5°. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Contact angle measurements (CA), and self-cleaning properties were analyzed to characterize the LDHs surface. In addition, the capability of the surface against UV radiation exposures (λ = 310 nm) was measured for 30 days of exposure to understand the outdoor applications of superhydrophobic LDHs. The corrosion resistance properties were measured through Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) from 1 h to 1200 h to understand the behaviour of coating and its long-term stability. The CeMgAl-LDHs film grown directly on anodized surface results in better barrier properties, while further modification with PFDTS provide a compact system to provide active corrosion resistance, long-term stability, UV radiation protection, and characteristics of self-cleaning against general household items (coffee, tea, cola, basic media, light acidic solution).