Superhydrophobic nickel-incorporated carbon-based (Ni/a-C:H) nanocomposite films were prepared successfully on Si substrate via the one-step electrochemical deposition method using methanol as the carbon source and nickel (II) acetylacetonate as the dopant under high voltage, atmospheric pressure and low temperature. Surprisingly, this one-step electrochemical deposited Ni/a-C:H nanocomposite films could achieve superhydrophobic surface. Results showed that without any further modifications by low surface energy materials, the water contact angle of 154.21° and sliding angle of 7.96° were obtained, which attribute to the irregular petaloid structures. In addition, the corrosion resistance tests demonstrated the Ni/a-C:H films deposited at a Ni content of 0.08 mg/ml had excellent corrosion resistance. And the self-cleaning test revealed that the Ni/a-C:H films surface had excellent self-cleaning properties, which indicated this kind of film might have a promising application in the field of drag reduction and self-cleaning.
RobertsonJ.Diamond-like amorphous carbon. Mater Sci Eng R. 2002;37(4–6):129–281. doi: 10.1016/S0927-796X(02)00005-0
2.
LiuX, PuJ, WangL, Novel DLC/ionic liquid/graphene nanocomposite coatings towards high-vacuum related space applications. J Mater Chem A. 2013;1(11):3797–3809. doi: 10.1039/c3ta00764b
3.
JohnstonSV, HainsworthSV.Effect of DLC coatings on wear in automotive applications. Surf Eng. 2013;21(1):67–71. doi: 10.1179/174329405X30039
4.
BewiloguaK, CooperCV, SpechtC, Erratum to: “effect of target material on deposition and properties of metal-containing DLC (Me-DLC) coatings”. Surf Coat Technol. 2000;132(2):275–283. doi: 10.1016/S0257-8972(00)00746-5
5.
ZouYS, WangSL, YangH, Effect of substrate temperature on microstructure and optical properties of Ga doped ZnO films deposited by pulsed laser deposition. Surf Eng. 2015;31(4):302–307. doi: 10.1179/1743294414Y.0000000440
6.
WangQ, LiS, WanS.Investigation of field emission characteristics and microstructure of nickel-doped DLC nanocomposite films by electrochemical deposition. Phys E: Low-Dimens Syst Nanostruct. 2012;46(5):89–96. doi: 10.1016/j.physe.2012.08.023
7.
WanS, WangL, XueQ.Electrochemical deposition of sulfur doped DLC nanocomposite film at atmospheric pressure. Electrochem Commun. 2010;12(1):61–65. doi: 10.1016/j.elecom.2009.10.036
8.
PandeyB, PalPP, BeraS, Effect of nickel incorporation on microstructural and optical properties of electrodeposited diamond like carbon (DLC) thin films. Appl Surf Sci. 2012;261:789–799. doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.08.101
9.
TangY, LiYS, ZhangCZ, Synthesis of cobalt/diamond-like carbon thin films by biased target ion beam deposition. Diamond Relat Mater. 2011;20(4):538–541. doi: 10.1016/j.diamond.2011.02.014
10.
WanS, HuH, ChenG, Synthesis and characterization of high voltage electrodeposited phosphorus doped DLC films. Electrochem Commun. 2008;10(3):461–465. doi: 10.1016/j.elecom.2008.01.003
11.
LubwamaM, McdonnellKA, KirabiraJB, Characteristics and tribological performance of DLC and Si-DLC films deposited on nitrile rubber. Surf Coat Technol. 2012;206(22):4585–4593. doi: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2012.05.015
HanX, ZhengJ, HaoJ, The microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of a-C:H films with self-assembled carbon nanohoops. Surf Coat Technol. 2017;311:27–34. doi: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2016.12.099
14.
LiuL, ZhouS, LiuZ, Effect of chromium on structure and tribological properties of hydrogenated Cr/a-C:H films prepared via a reactive magnetron sputtering system. Chin Phys B. 2016;33(2):026801.
15.
WangS, WangF, LiaoZ, Tribological behaviour of titanium alloy modified by carbon–DLC composite film. Surf Eng. 2015;31(12):934–9411743294414Y.1743294000. doi: 10.1179/1743294414Y.0000000452
16.
KalinM, PolajnarM.The wetting of steel, DLC coatings, ceramics and polymers with oils and water: the importance and correlations of surface energy, surface tension, contact angle and spreading. Appl Surf Sci. 2014;293(3):97–108. doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2013.12.109
17.
HatadaR, BabaK.Preparation of hydrophobic diamond like carbon films by plasma source ion implantation. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res. 1999;148(1–4):655–658. doi: 10.1016/S0168-583X(98)00745-9
MidtdalK, JelleBP.Self-cleaning glazing products: a state-of-the-art review and future research pathways. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2012;109(5):126–141.
ZdunekK.Concept, techniques, deposition mechanism of impulse plasma deposition – a short review. Surf Coat Technol. 2007;201(9–11):4813–4816. doi: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2006.07.024
24.
FerrariAC, RobertsonJ.Interpretation of Raman spectra of disordered and amorphous carbon. Phys Rev B Condens Matter. 2000;61(20):14095–14107. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.61.14095
25.
ChhowallaM, FerrariAC, RobertsonJ, Evolution of sp2 bonding with deposition temperature in tetrahedral amorphous carbon studied by Raman spectroscopy. Appl Phys Lett. 2000;76(11):1419–1421. doi: 10.1063/1.126050
26.
YamamotoT, SekiK, TakahashiM.Tribology of protective carbon films for thin film magnetic media. Surf Coat Technol. 1993;62(1):543–549. doi: 10.1016/0257-8972(93)90297-2
27.
LeungTY, ManWF, LimPK, Determination of the sp3/sp2 ratio of a-C:H by XPS and XAES. J Non-Crystall Solids. 1999;254(1–3):156–160. doi: 10.1016/S0022-3093(99)00388-9
28.
ZhongM, ZhangC, LuoJ.Effect of substrate morphology on the roughness evolution of ultra thin DLC films. Appl Surf Sci. 2008;254(21):6742–6748. doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2008.04.059
29.
Schwarz-SelingerT, MeierM, HopfC, Can plasma experiments unravel microscopic surface processes in thin film growth and erosion? Implications of particle–beam experiments on the understanding of a-C:H growth. Vacuum. 2003;71(3):361–376. doi: 10.1016/S0042-207X(02)00764-9
30.
ChenJS, LauSP, SunZ, Metal-containing amorphous carbon films for hydrophobic application. Thin Solid Films. 2001;398–399(01):110–115. doi: 10.1016/S0040-6090(01)01455-9
31.
TungWS, DaoudWA.Self-cleaning surface functionalisation of keratins: effect of heat treatment and formulation preparation time on photocatalysis and fibres mechanical properties. Surf Eng. 2013;26(26):525–531.
