Anticondensation and Anti-icing Properties of Bendable Superhydrophobic Coatings with Enhanced Mechanical Stability

To address persistent hazards caused by moisture and ice accumulation on solid surfaces in transportation, construction, and aviation sectors, a bendable anticondensation and anti-icing composite coating has been engineered through strategic integration of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles and SiO₂ nanoparticles within a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix. The coatings present a hierarchical structure composed of micronode arrays, which are covered with densely distributed nanopores. The size of the nanopores and the moisture resistance increase with an increase in the weight ratio of SiO₂ nanoparticles. However, the mechanical properties of the coatings decrease with an increase in the weight ratio of the SiO₂ nanoparticles. The addition of PTFE particles helps to generate interfacial lubricating layers on the coating surfaces and increase mechanical stability. The coatings with the optimized weight ratio of PTFE/SiO₂ present an icing delay time of ∼17 s at -10.0 °C, condensation resistance of more than 30 min, and oil-water separation properties. The coatings also demonstrate good adhesion strength, bendability, and mechanical durability and exhibit stable performance under prolonged exposure to acidic/alkaline solutions.