Electro- and Magneto-Responsive Superhydrophobic Shape Memory Coating Based on a Textile Electrode for...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Superhydrophobic coatings on textile electrodes are promising for anti-icing and deicing.
• Mechanical abrasion and multi-response demands challenge their long-term stability and durability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a durable superhydrophobic textile electrode with enhanced anti-icing and deicing capabilities.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of electrothermal and magnetothermal responses for improved performance.
• To achieve self-healing properties for long-term hydrophobic stability.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a superhydrophobic textile electrode (SMP-HFe-C@APT) using MWCNT/MXene, etched polyester fabric, Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified with octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS), and a shape memory polymer (SMP).
• Characterization of superhydrophobicity (water contact angle), icing delay, and deicing time.
• Evaluation of the synergistic dual electrothermal and magnetothermal response.
• Analysis of the material's self-healing mechanism through thermal cycling and molecular rearrangement.

Main Results:

• The electrode achieved excellent superhydrophobicity (WCA = 162.3 ± 0.5°).
• Demonstrated prolonged icing delay (1241 ± 10 s) and rapid deicing (82 s).
• Covalent bonding and modulus mismatch accelerated ice detachment; internal thermal cycling enhanced deicing efficiency.
• Shape memory polymer enabled dynamic self-healing of the microstructure and low surface energy.

Conclusions:

• A novel strategy for durable anti-icing and deicing coatings was developed.
• The integrated design offers synergistic dual thermal responses and dynamic self-healing.
• The findings pave the way for advanced, long-lasting anti-icing solutions in various applications.