Exceptional anti-icing and antifogging devices have been synthesized through combination of micro- and/or nanoscale hierarchical thin films followed by a modification with a surface lubricant. Aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) of single source titanium and tin precursors generated titanium dioxide (TiO2)/tin dioxide (SnO2) composite thin films. Variation in solvent type and/or combination notably impacted on the resulting intricate surface morphologies, which, upon Krytox lubricant modification, generated slippery liquid infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). The surface topography had a profound effect on the degree of surface ice and fog accumulation. The highest functioning films comprised of hybrid spherical/flowery surface structures generated using a mixed ethyl acetate/dichloromethane solvent system. These films retarded ice formation for >30 min at -10 °C and maintained a high level of sample transparency upon suspension above a heated water bath.
Keywords: AACVD; SLIPS; TiO2/SnO2; anti-icing; antifogging; nanocomposites; thin films.