Spontaneous Self-healing Bio-inspired Lubricant-infused Coating on Pipeline Steel Substrate with Reinforcing Anti-corrosion, Anti-fouling, and Anti-scaling Properties

• Published in: Journal of bionics engineering Vol. 19; no. 6; pp. 1601 - 1614
• Main Authors: Li, Hao, Peng, Yujie, Zhang, Kai, Li, Pengchang, Xin, Lei, Yin, Xiaoli, Yu, Sirong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.11.2022
• Subjects: Artificial Intelligence; Biochemical Engineering; Bioinformatics; Biomaterials; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedical Engineering/Biotechnology; Engineering; Research Article; Bioinspiration; Self-healing; Pipeline steel; Slippery surface
• ISSN: 1672-6529; 2543-2141
• DOI: 10.1007/s42235-022-00220-1

Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) and slippery lubricant-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) attract great attention due to their multiple properties in both industries and our daily lives. Here, we first fabricated the SHS with micro-scale flower-like structures composed of nano-sheets on pipeline steel substrate. Then, we obtained the SLIPS by spin-coating lubricant into gaps of micro-scale flower-like structures, with the air still trapped among gaps of nano-sheets. The SLIPS shows excellent liquid repellency as the SHS. The SLIPS also shows stability after the scour of flowing water. These results of polarization curves (Tafel) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopies deduced the SLIPS with better and more stable anti-corrosion property than the SHS. Compared with the SHS, the lack of attachment and CaCO 3 on the SLIPS indicates that the SLIPS demonstrates better anti-fouling and anti-scaling properties than the SHS. Moreover, the SLIPS shows promising wear resistance under the abrasion simulated by sandpaper compared with the SHS. Notably, the air trapped among nano-sheets is conducive to the lubricant flowing to the surface quickly, exhibiting spontaneous self-healing in atmosphere, even if part flower-like structures of the SLIPS subject to damage with the lubricant consumed after scratched.