Abstract
Functionalized superhydrophobic surfaces and thin-film coatings have emerged as ecological, environment-friendly, and efficient corrosion-inhibiting surface coatings in the domain of metal protection from adverse environments. Surfaces with high water contact angle values that are facile to facilitate the sliding away of water droplets or similar solvents are referred to as superhydrophobic surfaces, and these surfaces are non-wettable. Fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces and application of functionalized thin films act as water-repelling as well as a barrier layer, which prevents corrosive electrolytes from penetrating toward the exposed metal surface, thereby protecting it from further degradation. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to understand the specific surface properties as well as corrosion inhibition effectiveness of the protective thin film by imparting superhydrophobicity. In this chapter, the most recent developments of highly efficient functionalized superhydrophobic surface and thin film coating to protect metallic surfaces from various adverse corrosive conditions have been outlined and discussed insightfully with explanation of the associated mechanism.
