Eco-friendly photothermal superhydrophobic coatings: Recently advances in icephobic mechanisms, efficient...

Accumulation of snow and ice can pose significant safety hazards and economic losses in many areas of human life and production. Although traditional anti-icing methods have certain de-icing effects, they are mostly affected by the environment and terrain. Superhydrophobic materials originating from nature have attracted much attention for their outstanding passive anti-icing properties and promising application prospects. However, such passive anti-icing materials tend to lose their anti-icing properties after mechanical damage or exposure to harsh conditions. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that it is more practical to combine photothermal conversion properties with superhydrophobic properties. This innovative method integrates the benefits of passive anti-icing materials with active de-icing materials, showcasing exceptional energy-efficient anti/de-icing capabilities. This paper summarizes the advancements in research on photothermal superhydrophobic materials pertaining to anti/de-icing applications. The theory and mechanism of anti-icing are firstly introduced. Secondly, the anti/de-icing performance of photothermal superhydrophobic coatings is evaluated, and the research progress of photothermal superhydrophobic materials in the field of anti/de-icing is summarized, including carbon-based, metallic, semiconducting and polymeric materials. Finally, the challenges and future directions of photothermal superhydrophobic materials in practical engineering applications are discussed.