The aim of the present work is to study the impact of the crystal modifier of CaCl2 on the morphology, wettability and roughness of the NiCo-CeO2 coating. This composite coating in the presence and absence of CaCl2 was fabricated on plain carbon steel by one-step electrodeposition and its properties were investigated by SEM-EDS, water contact angle test and AFM. The presence of CaCl2 in the deposition electrolyte refined the coating's structure on the nano scale. The EDS maps showed a homogeneous distribution of Ce within the coating. Changing the morphology by CaCl2 significantly increased the water contact angle. The achieved superhydrophobicity could be beneficial to improve the corrosion resistance of the coating through limiting the contact of corrosive environment with substrate. The surface roughness was another surface feature influenced by morphology, playing a substantial role in the water repelling from the surface.
