A Flexible and High-Efficient Anti-Icing/Deicing Coating Based on Carbon Nanomaterials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Engineering

Background:

• Effective anti-icing and deicing solutions are crucial for engineering applications, demanding low energy consumption and high flexibility.
• Existing methods often struggle with energy efficiency and adaptability to complex geometries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an active-passive-integrated anti-icing/deicing coating with enhanced flexibility and low energy requirements.
• To leverage carbon nanomaterials for multifunctional surface properties including electrothermal and photothermal conversion.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a sandwich-structured coating with a carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene core, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers, and TiN/SiO2 nanoparticle composite top layer.
• Evaluation of electrothermal conversion efficiency, deicing speed, and performance under varying voltages and temperatures (-20 °C).
• Assessment of coating durability through large bending deformations and cyclic bending tests.

Main Results:

• Achieved 90% electrothermal conversion efficiency with low voltage (2 V) for deicing at -20 °C within 400 s.
• Demonstrated significant temperature increase (>100 °C) with 2.5 V, outperforming existing electrothermal methods.
• Maintained excellent water repellency, electrical, and electrothermal properties after substantial bending, indicating superior flexibility and durability.

Conclusions:

• The developed coating offers high efficiency, low energy consumption, and all-weather adaptability for freeze protection.
• Its excellent flexibility ensures effective anti-icing/deicing on both flat and curved surfaces.
• The coating holds significant practical value for industrial equipment requiring robust freeze protection.