Robust solid slippery surface for anti-corrosion: Experimental and simulation

Corrosion has long been an enduring obstacle for researchers. It is a challenge to make progress in corrosion protection technology and understanding corrosion mechanisms for quite some time. In recent years, the slippery surface has been applied for anti-corrosion. This novel surface gives new expectation to corrosion protection technicians. Even though some researchers have constructed lots of slippery surfaces for anti-corrosion, the robustness should be improved and the intrinsic anti-corrosion mechanism also needs to be clarified. Therefore, we fabricated a solid slippery surface (SSS) via electrodeposition combined with hydrothermal method followed by solid lubricant infused into a micro-nano "metasequoia" structure. The anti-abrasion performance was enhanced due to the special structure as well as the solid lubricant. Besides, the SSS showed thermal assisted self-healing property even after experienced abrasion. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical experimental with the potentiodynamic polarization curve and alternating-current impedance technique. The Ecorr and Icorr of SSS were 0.029 V and 2.121 × 10−9 A·cm−2, respectively. Furthermore, the diffusion behavior and relative concentration of corrosive particles were analyzed by the molecular dynamics simulation method. The simulation results showed that the as-prepared SSS can provide a very superior anti-corrosion property with a simulated diffusion coefficient of 2.2 × 10−9 m2·s−1 for Cl−. This work provides technical guidance and theoretical support for the application of SSS in corrosion protection and can provide a reference for the anti-corrosion mechanism of SSS.