Photothermal Solid Slippery Surfaces with Rapid Self-Healing, Improved Anti/De-Icing and Excellent Stability

Macromol Rapid Commun. 2023 Mar;44(6):e2200816. doi: 10.1002/marc.202200816. Epub 2023 Feb 3.

Abstract

Icing phenomenon that occurs universally in nature and industry gets a great impact on human life. Over the past decades, extensive efforts have been made for a wide range of anti-icing/deicing surfaces, but the preparation of anti-icing/deicing interfaces that combine stability, rapid self-healing and excellent anti-icing/deicing performance remains a challenge. In this study, a photothermal solid slippery surface with excellent comprehensive performance is prepared by integrating cellulose acetate film, carbon nanotubes with paraffin wax (CCP). Apart from the excellent anti-icing and deicing properties at -17 ± 1.0 °C under 1 sun illumination, the surface can further achieve deicing at temperatures as low as -22 ± 1.0 °C under infrared light. The fabricated surface also exhibits great stability when placed in harsh conditions such as underwater or ultra-low temperature environments for over 30 days. Even when suffering from physical damage, the prepared surface can rapidly self-repair under 1 sun illumination or near-infrared (NIR) illumination within 16.0 ± 1.5 s. Due to the rapid and repeatable self-healing performance, the lubricating properties of the interface material do not deteriorate even after 50 repeated abrasing-repairing cycles. The photothermal solid slippery surface possesses wide-ranging applications and commercial value at high latitude and altitude regions.

Keywords: anti-icing/deicing; photothermal slippery surfaces; self-repairing; stability.

MeSH terms

  • Cold Temperature
  • Humans
  • Infrared Rays
  • Nanotubes, Carbon*
  • Paraffin
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Paraffin