Recent research progress on photothermal icephobic materials from fabrication to application

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Science
• Thermodynamics

Background:

• Extreme weather events and climate change exacerbate icing challenges on infrastructure.
• Conventional anti-/de-icing methods face limitations in energy efficiency and environmental impact.
• Photothermal materials present a promising sustainable alternative for ice mitigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review photothermal anti-icing materials for infrastructure protection.
• To analyze mechanisms, including wettability dynamics and thermal transport.
• To identify barriers and guide future development of next-generation icephobic materials.

Main Methods:

• Categorization and critical assessment of photothermal material classes (carbon-based, metallic, semiconductor, polymeric).
• Analysis of fabrication strategies, performance trade-offs, and commercialization barriers.
• Integration of photothermal efficiency, surface design, and environmental adaptability.

Main Results:

• Photothermal materials harness solar energy for efficient, eco-friendly ice mitigation.
• Various material classes show potential but face challenges in durability, scalability, and thermal management.
• A unified framework is proposed to guide rational design.

Conclusions:

• Photothermal materials are crucial for next-generation anti-icing solutions.
• Addressing challenges in durability, scalability, and thermal management is key for commercialization.
• Integrating material design with efficiency and adaptability will drive innovation.