A superhydrophobic SiO2/rGO composite coating with enhanced photothermal properties for anti-icing/deicing†

Superhydrophobic materials with photothermal properties have garnered increasing attention due to their potential applications in anti-icing and deicing fields. However, many currently available materials encounter challenges such as complex preparation processes, insufficient hydrophobicity, and poor chemical durability. In this study, we developed a multifunctional superhydrophobic SiO₂/rGO composite coating via a straightforward sol–gel method, achieving a remarkable water contact angle exceeding 170°, with integrated photothermal conversion for anti-icing/deicing and corrosion resistance. Under extremely low-temperature conditions, the SiO₂/rGO surface demonstrated a notable icing delay, which was further enhanced under simulated solar illumination due to its superior photothermal properties. The coating exhibited excellent deicing performance, melting ice within 120 s (copper substrate)/263 s (glass substrate) under 0.9 sun irradiation, compared to 360 s (copper)/460 s (glass) for the bare surface. Stability tests confirmed its robust corrosion resistance and mechanical durability. These findings highlight the promising potential of the SiO₂/rGO composite coating for practical applications in harsh environments, such as transportation, aerospace, and power transmission systems.