Multi-Scale Biomimetic Strategy: Robust Woven Wires with Photo-Thermal De-Icing and Spontaneous De-Wetting

The irreversible transition from the Wenzel to the Cassie–Baxter state of superhydrophobic surfaces under negative temperatures and high humidity significantly degrades their anti-icing performance. Moreover, large-scale preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces with high mechanical durability remains challenging. In this study, inspired by the photothermal properties of coral and the reinforcement structures of mountain slopes, an anti-icing mesh (AIM) with submillimeter overlapping peaks/ridges and coral-shaped micro-/nanostructures assembled onto woven wires is fabricated using one-step laser micromachining. The resulting AIM exhibited an ice adhesion strength of 14.5 kPa and solar-assisted de-icing times of 123 s (0.1 Wcm⁻²) and 302 s (0.05 Wcm⁻²) in frozen-rain environment. These properties are attributed to its hollow micro-skeleton and subwavelength porous nano-gaps formed by melted polydimethylsiloxane and dispersed carbon black nanoparticles. The AIM maintained a water rolling angle of 8° even after 10,000 abrasion cycles, as tested using the standardized ASTM D4060 method. The robustness mechanism is further analyzed through a quantitative assessment of micromorphology evolution and interface wetting states. Additionally, transmission cables encapsulated with intact or damaged AIM are tested to simulate real-world de-icing applications, demonstrating its strong anti-icing potential as a scalable fabrication method with effective freezing delay, photothermal de-icing capability, and exceptional durability.