Investigating the hydrophobic properties and corrosion resistance of copper surfaces via octadecanoic acid chemical deposition techniqueInvestigating the hydrophobic properties and corrosion resistance of copper surfaces via octadecanoic acid chemical deposition technique

Authors

  • Dinesh Kumar Vairavel School of Mechanical, Aero, Auto and Civil Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7343-887X
  • Sivasubramanian Mahadevan School of Mechanical, Aero, Auto and Civil Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0467-3766
  • Armstrong Michael Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSN College of Engineering and Technology, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6967-7579
  • Sivakumar Durairaj School of Bio, Chemical and Processing Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5228-0145
  • Selvapalam Narayanan School of Advanced Sciences, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6502-9694

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62638/ZasMat1390

Abstract

This study investigates the enhancement of copper’s hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance through the chemical deposition of octadecanoic acid. Structural and chemical modifications of the treated copper surfaces were analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). SEM images revealed significant alterations in surface topography, promoting water repellency, while EDS confirmed the uniform coating of octadecanoic acid. XRD analysis showed that the crystalline structure of copper was preserved. Hydrophobicity was quantitatively assessed through contact angle measurements, which increased from 75° for bare copper to 121.5° for the octadecanoic acid-coated copper, confirming the transition to a hydrophobic surface. Water jetting and water bouncing tests demonstrated superior water repellency and self-cleaning efficiency of the coated surfaces. The contact angle measurement for the coated surface reached approximately 160° during the bouncing tests, indicating highly hydrophobic behaviour. Corrosion resistance was evaluated using dynamic potential polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The dynamic polarization curve indicated a corrosion potential (Ecorr) of -0.0700 V for the coated copper, compared to -0.2036 V for the uncoated copper. The corrosion current density (Icorr) for the coated copper was 3.577 × 10⁻⁶ A/cm², significantly lower than the bare copper's value of 2.214 × 10⁻⁵ A/cm². The corrosion rate of the coated copper was reduced to 1.388 × 10⁻¹ mm/a from 3.226 × 10⁻¹ mm/a for the uncoated copper, resulting in an efficiency of 83.8%. These findings demonstrate that octadecanoic acid is an effective and cost-efficient protective coating for enhancing copper's durability and functionality, especially in moisture-prone environments.

Keywords:

copper, corrosion resistance, hydrophobicity, octadecanoic acid, self-cleaning, surface modification
Supporting Agencies
No funding

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Published

28-07-2025

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Research Paper