Broad Spectrum Anti-Fouling, Photocatalytic Antibacterial and Superamphiphobic Coating Fabricated by Composite Electrodeposition Process

Enabling metallic surfaces to possess broad-spectrum self-cleaning functions is one of most active research topics. In this paper, a composite electrodeposition process is adopted to prepare multifunctional self-cleaning metallic surfaces by introducing tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the deposited nickel metal, forming the Ni/nano-WO3/CNTs metal matrix composite (MMC) coating. Preparation parameters and conditions are optimized experimentally in terms of the dispersed phase fraction in the MMC coating and the surface microstructures feature. Wettability, mechanical properties, and self-cleaning functions of the MMC coating are evaluated. It was found that the MMC coating shows a unique micro- & nano-scale dual hierarchical surface structure with overhanging microstructures, being superhydrophilic in its as-plated state and superamphiphobic after it being modified; the as-plated MMC coating exhibits an excellent photocatalytic degradation ability and a broad antibacterial performance for the synergistic decomposition effects of nano-WO3 and CNTs; the modified MMC coating is able to maintain a vigorous superhydrophobicity during thermal shocks, long-distance abrasion, and dozens of time adhesions; both the as-plated and the modified MMC coating are significantly resistant to pollution. The Ni/nano-WO3/CNTs MMC coating surface possesses transferable extreme wettability and thus shows broad-spectrum anti-fouling and antibacterial properties as well as good mechanical durability.