Interfacial Galvanic Engineering Enables Direct Growth of Graphdiyne-Based Slippery Coatings on Zinc Surfaces

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Engineering
• Corrosion Protection

Background:

• Reactive zinc (Zn) surfaces are incompatible with graphdiyne network growth via Glaser coupling.
• This incompatibility limits graphdiyne coatings to copper substrates, hindering application on Zn components.
• Overcoming substrate incompatibility is crucial for deploying advanced graphdiyne coatings on Zn.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a strategy for growing graphdiyne-like networks on reactive zinc substrates.
• To create a robust, functional coating for protecting Zn-based components in harsh environments.
• To enable graphdiyne-derived coatings on technologically important Zn materials.

Main Methods:

• Developed an interfacial galvanic engineering strategy using in situ electrochemical displacement.
• Generated a nanoscale copper-modified zinc (Cu-Zn) interface for catalysis and adhesion.
• Applied fluorination and perfluoropolyether (PFPE) infusion to create a slippery surface.

Main Results:

• Achieved ultrathin, mechanically resilient poly(1,3,5-triethynylbenzene) (PTEB) coatings on Zn substrates.
• Created a fluorinated PTEB-based slippery surface with a low sliding angle (∼1.19°).
• Demonstrated outstanding corrosion protection (99.56% inhibition efficiency) and anti-fouling properties.

Conclusions:

• The interfacial galvanic engineering strategy successfully overcomes substrate incompatibility for graphdiyne coatings on Zn.
• The developed coating offers exceptional corrosion resistance, low friction, and anti-adhesion properties.
• This approach creates opportunities for long-term protection of reactive metal components in marine environments.