An Eco-Friendly Sb₂Se₃-Based Superhydrophobic Photothermal Coating for Scalable Anti-icing and De-icing Applications

The integration of superhydrophobicity and photothermal conversion offers transformative potential for addressing ice accretion challenges in outdoor infrastructure. However, current technologies are constrained by fluorinated chemical dependencies, complex manufacturing workflows, and limited substrate adaptability. Herein, we present a fluorochemical-free, eco-friendly, scalable coating system through a one-step spray deposition of antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃), stearic acid (STA), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The synergistic incorporation of Sb₂Se₃ and STA creates a micro/nano structure with enhanced surface roughness (R_a = 189.937 nm) and low surface energy, achieving exceptional liquid repellency (water contact angle: 165°, sliding angle: 3°). The optimized Sb₂Se₃/STA/PMMA (Sb₂Se₃-SP) composite demonstrates remarkable substrate versatility, adhering robustly to diverse surfaces (metals, glass, paper, and wood) without requiring pretreatment. Notably, the Sb₂Se₃-SP coating exhibits a 4.67-fold extension in delayed ice freezing time (280 s at -20 °C) compared to that of uncoated substrate (60 s at -20 °C). Furthermore, the intrinsic photothermal conversion capability of Sb₂Se₃ enables rapid surface heating, rising to 80.0 °C in 180 s under 1-sun illumination (0.14 W/cm²), facilitating autonomous ice melting without external energy supply. Besides, the Sb₂Se₃-SP coating exhibits outstanding mechanical durability and self-cleaning property. This scalable, eco-conscious fabrication approach bridges the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial deployment, offering a sustainable pathway for energy-efficient anti-icing solutions in aviation power systems and cold-region infrastructure.