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Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Metal Surfaces for Anti-Icing Applications

Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Metal Surfaces for Anti-Icing Applications

Published on: August 15, 2018

An Explorative Study on Using Carbon Nanotube-Based Superhydrophobic Self-Heating Coatings for UAV Icing Protection

Jincheng Wang¹, James Frantz¹, Edward Chumbley¹

¹Department of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

|September 13, 2025

Summary

This study developed a novel self-heating superhydrophobic coating using carbon nanotubes for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) propellers. The coating effectively prevents ice buildup, enhancing flight safety in icing conditions.

Area of Science:

Aerospace Engineering
Materials Science
Surface Science

Background:

In-flight icing poses a significant safety risk to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), impairing aerodynamic performance due to ice accumulation on propellers.
Existing hybrid anti-icing systems struggle with the curved surfaces of UAV propellers, highlighting the need for adaptable solutions.
Carbon-based electrothermal coatings, especially those with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), show promise for effective ice mitigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and optimize a novel self-heating superhydrophobic coating based on CNTs for UAV icing protection.
To evaluate the anti-icing and de-icing performance of the developed coating on a rotating UAV propeller.
To assess the durability of the coating under simulated operational conditions, including rain erosion.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of a sprayable CNT-based superhydrophobic coating.
Experimental evaluation of the coating's anti-/de-icing efficacy in an advanced icing research tunnel with a rotating UAV propeller under glaze icing conditions.
Durability testing using a rain erosion test rig simulating high-speed water droplet impingement.

Main Results:

The developed sprayable self-heating superhydrophobic coating demonstrated successful application in mitigating UAV propeller icing.
Experimental data confirmed the coating's effectiveness in preventing ice accumulation under typical glaze icing conditions.
The coating exhibited acceptable durability when subjected to simulated rain erosion, indicating its potential for practical use.

Conclusions:

CNT-based electrothermal coatings offer a viable and innovative solution for UAV icing protection.
The developed self-heating superhydrophobic coating can conform to complex propeller geometries, overcoming limitations of conventional systems.
This research contributes to advancing icing protection technologies for unmanned aerial systems operating in adverse weather.

Keywords:

UAV anti-/de-icing carbon nanotube heating superhydrophobic coating

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