Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Lubricating Coating with Polyaniline Microspheres for Long-Term Anti-Icing and
Qingqing Zhang1, Songyu Zhang1, Ren Liu1
1The Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Lihu Street 1800, Wuxi, 214122, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 18, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel lubricating coating using silicone oil-loaded polyaniline (PANI) microspheres for long-lasting anti-icing and efficient de-icing. The innovative coating self-replenishes lubricant and rapidly melts ice using photothermal and electrothermal effects.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Existing anti-icing/de-icing coatings face challenges with lubricant leakage and high energy consumption, limiting their effectiveness in cold environments.
- Developing durable coatings with self-replenishing and efficient de-icing capabilities is crucial for applications in extreme conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a long-lasting lubricating coating with enhanced anti-icing and de-icing properties.
- To address lubricant leakage and high de-icing energy consumption issues in current coating technologies.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a novel coating using silicone oil-loaded polyaniline (PANI) microspheres.
- Investigating the photothermal and electrothermal conversion properties of PANI microspheres.
- Evaluating the coating's self-replenishing lubrication, anti-icing, and de-icing performance under various conditions, including washing-NIR cycles and ice melting tests.
Main Results:
- The PANI microspheres demonstrated combined photothermal conversion, electrothermal conversion, and lubricating properties.
- The coating exhibited continuous lubricant release under near-infrared (NIR) light, maintaining low sliding angles (< 10°) after multiple cycles.
- The coating achieved rapid ice melting within 7 seconds under synergistic NIR light and voltage, showcasing efficient de-icing capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The developed coating provides long-term lubrication and antifouling properties due to its self-replenishing mechanism.
- The coating's photothermal and electrothermal properties enable highly efficient de-icing, suitable for practical applications.
- This innovative coating offers a promising solution for aerospace, transportation, and power facilities operating in cold environments.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:09Colloidal precipitates
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
01:27Cold Weather Concreting
When freshly poured concrete is exposed to freezing temperatures before it has set, the water within the concrete can freeze. This expansion disrupts the setting process, delays chemical reactions necessary for hardening, and increases the volume of pores within the hardened concrete, which weakens its overall structure. If the concrete manages to reach an appreciable strength before it freezes, the damage can be somewhat mitigated.
To counteract the negative impacts of cold weather, ensuring...
To counteract the negative impacts of cold weather, ensuring...
01:27Frost Action on Concrete
Concrete structures in cold climates, such as those along roadsides, can retain moisture. This moisture makes them susceptible to frost-related damage when temperatures fall below freezing. Adding moisture worsens the damage during temperature fluctuations, leading to repeated freezing and thawing. De-icing salts, spread over these structures to melt ice, add to the freeze-thaw cycle, and draw even more moisture into the concrete.
This freeze-thaw cycle primarily causes surface scaling, where...
This freeze-thaw cycle primarily causes surface scaling, where...
01:29Frost Resistant Concrete
Concrete's susceptibility to frost damage during freeze-thaw cycles demands strategic measures to enhance its frost resistance. Employing techniques like air entrainment, adjusting the water-cement ratio, proper curing, and selecting appropriate aggregates are essential.
Introducing microscopic air bubbles into the concrete mix through air entrainment creates small voids that accommodate ice expansion, thereby reducing internal pressures and preventing cracking. The optimal amount of entrained...
Introducing microscopic air bubbles into the concrete mix through air entrainment creates small voids that accommodate ice expansion, thereby reducing internal pressures and preventing cracking. The optimal amount of entrained...