Fabrication of phase change microcapsules and their applications to anti-icing coating

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been used for energy storage within a wide range of applications. However, they are scarcely used in the field of anti-icing of glass insulators in transmission lines under glaze ice (the icing temperature is 0∼-5 °C). Herein, we prepared phase change microcapsules (MPCMs) and applied them to permanent room temperature vulcanized (PRTV) silicon rubber to prepare anti-icing coating on glass. The n-tetradecane and nucleating agent were used to obtain a requirable phase change temperature. The MPCMs in the coating released latent heat when the temperature dropped from 2.25 to -4.73 °C, which was consistent with the temperature of glaze icing. Furthermore, MPCMs roughened the coating surface and imparted superhydrophobic to the coating. Compared with PRTV coating, the prepared MPCM/PRTV coating extended the freezing time of water droplets from 1381 to 3432 s. Additionally, the MPCMs in the coating could absorb and release energy repeatedly and maintain intactness without cracking during icing/melting cycles, and the anti-icing/deicing performance of the MPCM/PRTV coating demonstrated durability. The heat storage and release of the MPCM/PRTV coating is driven by the temperature difference, thus, we define this coating as having a “temperature switch” effect. The prepared coating shows potential anti-icing applications for glass insulators under glaze ice where the temperature fluctuates within the phase transition temperature range of this coating.