Photothermal superhydrophobic coupled functional surface with active anti/de-icing performance

Ice adhesion has caused serious impacts on the engineering field, such as the safety and efficiency of equipment operation. Photothermal superhydrophobic surfaces are a potentially effective anti/de-icing method by combining solar heat with low-energy hydrophobic surfaces to prevent icing formation or accelerate ice melting. During the present study, the photothermal superhydrophobic was prepared on the aluminum alloy surface, as well as polypropylene coating and photothermal coating. The light absorption, wettability, and anti/de-icing properties of different surfaces were systematically investigated. The photothermal superhydrophobic coating has good light absorption efficiency and can increase the surface temperature by approximately 35 °C within the same illumination time. The contact angle of the photothermal superhydrophobic coating is 162°, which not only demonstrates good anti/de-icing performance but also can delay the freezing time of attached water independent of the refrigeration method. After 50 mechanical stability tests and chemical stability tests, the photothermal superhydrophobic coating still maintains good durability. The present study demonstrates that photothermal superhydrophobic surface is a promising anti/de-icing coating with stable performance for engineering applications.