Electrothermal/Superhydrophobic Anti-Deicing Coating with a Sandwich Structure Based on Micro-Nanomaterials

Abstract

The freezing phenomenon poses significant challenges in many fields, causing serious casualties and economic losses. Compared with traditional measures, active/passive coupled anti-deicing technology exhibits greater adaptability and effectiveness in diverse scenarios. Herein, an electrothermal/superhydrophobic coating featuring a sandwich structure was proposed for anti-deicing applications. Benefiting from the hydrophobic modified micro-nanostructure, this superhydrophobic coating boasted remarkable abilities to delay icing and repel water adhesion, rendering it ideal for combating freezing rain. Under a certain electrothermal power density, the coating could be heated quickly and evenly. Furthermore, it has proven to be highly capable of enduring prolonged continuous heating and rigorous high–low-temperature cycling tests, delivering exceptional performance. To evaluate its dynamic anti-icing performance, icing wind tunnel tests were conducted, which demonstrated that the coating can prevent freezing with the coupled electrothermal/superhydrophobic properties, even under harsh icing environments. This work would inspire the design of electrothermal/superhydrophobic anti-deicing coating with a sandwich structure and promote the practical engineering applications.