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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
07:37
TiO2-coated Hollow Glass Microspheres with Superhydrophobic and High IR-reflective Properties Synthesized by a Soft-chemistry Method
Published on: April 26, 2017
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Multi-Scale Superhydrophobic Surface with Excellent Stability and Solar-Thermal Performance for Highly Efficient
Fei Zhang1, Hongjie Yan1, Meijie Chen1
1School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 430001, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|March 21, 2024
Summary
This study developed a novel triple-scale superhydrophobic surface for effective anti-icing and deicing. The surface utilizes solar-thermal properties to prevent ice buildup and facilitate ice removal from outdoor equipment.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Ice accretion on outdoor equipment reduces efficiency and safety.
- Superhydrophobic surfaces offer anti-icing and deicing capabilities.
- Droplet adhesion increases during icing/melting cycles, hindering removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a triple-scale solar-thermal superhydrophobic surface on stainless steel 304.
- To enhance anti-icing and deicing performance by overcoming Wenzel state transitions.
- To improve the durability and efficiency of ice removal from surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a triple-scale superhydrophobic surface using etching, in situ oxidation, and TiN nanoparticle spin-coating.
- Characterization of surface wettability through contact angle measurements during icing and melting cycles.
- Evaluation of solar absorptivity using metal oxides and TiN nanoparticles.
Main Results:
- The designed surface recovered the Cassie state post-melting, with contact angles returning to near-original values.
- High solar absorptivity (0.925) was achieved due to metal oxides and TiN nanoparticles.
- The surface demonstrated excellent anti-icing and deicing performance through the synergistic effect of superhydrophobicity and solar-thermal properties.
Conclusions:
- The triple-scale solar-thermal superhydrophobic surface effectively prevents ice adhesion and facilitates deicing.
- This technology shows promise for practical anti-icing and deicing applications.
- The study contributes to developing advanced surfaces for extreme weather conditions.
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