Recent advancements in hydrophobic materials and their significant applications in corrosion prevention

Abstract

Hydrophobic materials are formed based on the chemical concept of hydrophobicity Which is derived from a Greek term ‘hydro ’meaning water and ‘phobos ’meaning fear. Natural hydrophobes include alkanes, fats and oils. Hydrophobic substances resolutely refuse to mix with water (such as oils and fats) and hydrophobic materials and coatings prevent water from pooling on its surface. This phenomenon is also termed as "The Lotus Effect" since this is observed in the leaf of "Nelumbo" or "lotus flower". Hydrophobic materials are often used to remove oil from water, manage oil spills and remove nonpolar substances from polar compounds. These materials can be created using two methods. The simpler method is to coat a surface with wax, oil or grease. The other is using nanoengineering to help createa unique, nanopatterned textured surface. Hydrophobicity greatly improves the corrosion protective properties of the coatings. Hydrophobic coatings prevent water from pooling on its surface. In order to minimize the disruption to its molecular makeup, the water droplet pushes itself away from the surface to minimize its contact area, becoming a very tight droplet. Hydrophobic treatment is an effective, low cost preventative measure against corrosion of reinforcement in chloride contaminated environment. An attempt has been made to discuss wetting phenomena of hydrophobic materials, recent advancements in hydrophobic materials and their significant applications, in corrosion prevention.