Probing Effect of Wettability on Surface Icing and Deicing Applications: A Review

The ice resistance of superhydrophobic surfaces has become a vital topic of research due to its potential applications in aerospace, telecommunications, energy, and other fields. However, the influence of surface wettability parameters on water freezing is complex, and the mechanism of its influence is not yet clear. Therefore, to better understand the efficiency of ice formation and deicing on the surface, this review introduces the influence mechanism of surface wettability on ice nucleation and growth on the surface. In general, a larger contact angle reduces the contact area at the water-substrate interface and increases the energy for nucleation, which reduces the rate of nucleation, delays freezing, and inhibits the icing process. However, hydrophilic surfaces can also exhibit measurable ice inhibition performance under combined active and passive conditions. Furthermore, the exploration of the surface wettability mechanism on ice nucleation and growth can effectively control the icing and provide a theoretical basis for engineering applications. The overall idea is to inhibit ice nucleation, regulate ice growth, and reduce ice adhesion. This review will be useful in guiding future research on water freezing on the surface.