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Delaying Ice and Frost Formation Using Phase-Switching Liquids
Rukmava Chatterjee1, Daniel Beysens2, Sushant Anand1
1Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|March 16, 2019
Summary
Phase-switching liquids (PSLs) significantly delay ice formation on surfaces. These materials impede condensation-frosting up to 300 times longer, offering enhanced ice and frost repellency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Thermodynamics
Background:
- Preventing ice formation is critical for various applications.
- Conventional anti-icing surfaces have limitations in performance and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of phase-switching liquids (PSLs) in preventing condensation-frosting.
- To evaluate the ice and frost repellent properties of PSL-infused surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing phase-change materials (liquid at ambient conditions, solidifying above water's freezing point) as PSLs.
- Comparing condensation-frosting delay on bulk and surface-infused PSL states versus conventional surfaces.
- Assessing droplet adhesion, optical transparency, liquid repellency, and self-healing capabilities of solidified PSL surfaces.
Main Results:
- PSLs impede condensation-frosting up to 300 times longer than conventional surfaces.
- Freezing delay is attributed to latent heat release, surface morphology, and miscibility.
- PSL-infused textured surfaces show low droplet adhesion and ice/frost repellency, even on hydrophilic substrates.
- Solidified PSL surfaces exhibit optical transparency, repel various liquids, and possess self-healing properties.
Conclusions:
- Phase-switching liquids offer a novel approach to significantly enhance anti-icing and frost-repellent functionalities.
- PSL-infused surfaces demonstrate versatile properties including durability and broad liquid repellency.
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