Green Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Zeolite Coating on Cement-Based Material Surfaces to Improve Water-Resistant and Anticorrosion Properties

Constructing a superhydrophobic coating on cement-based materials' surface can effectively inhibit the invasion of external water and corrosive ions. However, current strategies of fabricating superhydrophobic coatings often require complex processes and some harmful solvents. Herein, an eco-friendly method is proposed for constructing superhydrophobic coatings on mortar surfaces to inhibit water penetration and chloride ion corrosion. The superhydrophobic coating was fabricated using superhydrophobic zeolite powders modified with nontoxic stearic acid. The mortar with superhydrophobic coating (SHC-mortar) possesses a water contact angle of 156 degrees and water slide angle of less than 10 degrees. In addition, the self-cleaning, waterproof and anticorrosion properties of SHC-mortar were explored. The results show that the fabricated superhydrophobic coating endows the mortar with a self-cleaning property, significantly reduces the capillary water absorption of the mortar, and improves the anticorrosion property of the mortar.