LAUSR

Abstract Anti-scaling is one key problem in various industrial productions. The coating technology is the most effective protection method for metals and pipelines. As a good scale inhibitor, diethylene triamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMPA) generally takes effect after placement into wastewater and through discharging with water flow. In this study, a novel DTPMPA-modified superhydrophobic anodized aluminium (DSAA) coating was designed, fabricated and utilized for anti-scaling of CaCO3 deposition. The unique anti-scaling performance on the surface of the DSAA coating originated from the gradual release of DTPMPA at the solution/coating interface, plus the effect of superhydrophobic anti-scaling. During the CaCO3 deposition, the abundant air layer retained at the surface of the superhydrophobic DSAA coating prevented further deposition of CaCO3. In addition, the active DTPMPA gradually and dynamically released from the DSAA coating to the water/coating interface chelated with Ca2+ and further stopped the possible combination between Ca2+ and CO32−. This synergistic antiscaling effect of the DSAA coating showed a wide application prospect in effective anti-scaling on various surfaces. This work provides a new way of designing and fabricating dynamic superhydrophobic coatings for anti-scaling.