Polar Bear Inspired Laser-Induced Energy Storing Photothermal Superhydrophobic Smart Skin for Efficient Anti/de-Icing

Photothermal superhydrophobic surfaces provide an attractive strategy for anti-/deicing by delaying ice formation and enabling solar-driven ice melting. Inspired by the polar bear fur, constructed a smart skin integrating photothermal conversion, energy storage, and superhydrophobicity. The smart skin was fabricated by using polyaniline-modified hollow halloysite nanotubes as carriers to encapsulate phase-change paraffin, forming a phase-change energy-storage filler incorporated into a PDMS matrix. Subsequently, laser processing was employed to construct micropillar arrays on the skin surface, to enhance surface functionality. The resulting L-PPH/PDMS smart skin exhibits a contact angle of 152° after deformation and acid/alkali exposure, demonstrating excellent mechanical and chemical stability. The micropillar architecture enhances broadband light trapping, leading to an average absorptance of 94.52% over 200-2500 nm. Under 1 sun irradiation, the surface temperature reaches 82°C within 360 s, with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 49.47%. At -20°C, L-PPH/PDMS an extended icing delay time and rapid photothermal deicing. More importantly, latent heat released from the confined phase-change component further compensates interfacial heat loss. The smart skin also demonstrates effective anti-icing performance on a simulated wind turbine blade, highlighting its potential for sustainable anti-icing/deicing applications.