Enhanced Corrosion and Microbial Resistance of Copper via Picosecond Laser–FAS Modification

Copper has gained significant attention due to its excellent physicochemical properties. However, its susceptibility to biofouling and corrosion significantly limits its application, leading to substantial economic losses. Although laser texturing, fluorinated modification, and electrochemical evaluation of copper have been studied separately, the combined application of picosecond laser treatment and fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) modification, together with biologically conditioned electrochemical evaluation, remains insufficiently explored. This study develops a superhydrophobic protective layer on copper surfaces using a composite modification technique that integrates picosecond laser treatment with FAS. The wetting behavior, adhesion characteristics, and corrosion resistance of the modified surfaces under biofouling conditions were systematically evaluated. The resulting surface exhibited a static contact angle (CA) of 156° ± 0.47° and a low rolling angle of 6° ± 0.5°. Corrosion resistance was evaluated through potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochemical tests confirmed the modified layer effectively mitigated electrochemical corrosion of copper in bacterial suspensions, as evidenced by a reduced corrosion current, a positive shift in corrosion potential, and an increased polarization resistance. The results indicate that the picosecond laser–FAS composite treatment significantly enhances the antimicrobial adhesion resistance and corrosion resistance of copper surfaces, supporting potential applications in infrastructure, marine engineering, and healthcare.