Multifunctional superamphiphobic coating enhances corrosion and icing resistance on aluminium alloy

Superhydrophobic coatings are widely used for liquid repellency; however, their performance often deteriorates in low-surface-tension liquid environments. Addressing this limitation, researchers have developed a multifunctional superamphiphobic coating for 5083 aluminium alloy using a spray-coating process with fluorinated SiO₂ (F-SiO₂) nanoparticles and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The coating demonstrates exceptional repellency, with contact angles exceeding 150° and sliding angles below 5° for water, ethylene glycol, peanut oil, and hexadecane.

In addition to its liquid-repellent properties, the coating is highly effective in self-cleaning and anti-fouling applications, as liquids with varying surface tensions can remove solid contaminants from its surface. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and salt spray tests confirmed its anti-corrosion capabilities, with the coating showing no corrosion after 960 hours of salt spray exposure. While a slight decline in superoleophobicity was observed, the surface maintained its superhydrophobicity, underscoring its durability in harsh conditions.

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Anti-icing and versatile industrial potential

The coating also demonstrated significant anti-icing performance by delaying water droplet freezing. This is achieved by suppressing nucleation and reducing heat transfer rates, providing critical advantages in cold environments. These properties, combined with its anti-corrosion, self-cleaning, and anti-fouling functions, make the coating suitable for a wide range of industrial applications, such as marine, aerospace, and energy sectors.

This development represents a major step forward in multifunctional surface engineering, offering sustainable and robust solutions for industries requiring long-lasting, high-performance coatings.

Source: Che, C. et al., Superamphiphobic coating fabricated on 5083 aluminum alloy with integrated anti-corrosion and anti-icing functions. Progress in Organic Coatings, 213, 109979 (2026).

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