Superhydrophobic SiC/CNTs Coatings with Photothermal Deicing and Passive Anti-Icing Properties

For faster and greener anti-icing/deicing, a new generation of anti-icing materials are expected to possess both passive anti-icing properties and active deicing properties. The photothermal effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is used in the field of photothermal cancer therapy, while the application in anti-icing/deicing is seldom investigated. Superhydrophobic SiC/CNTs coatings with photothermal deicing and passive anti-icing properties were first prepared by a simple spray-coating method. The results of 3D profile and microstructure observed via scanning electron microscopy demonstrate that the micronanostructure combined with peaklike SiC microstructure and villiform CNTs nanostructure makes the coatings surface superhydrophobic, exhibiting a water contact angle of up to 161° and a roll angle as low as 2°. This micronanostructure can also reduce ice anchoring and ice adhesion strength. Utilizing the photothermal effect of CNTs, the surface temperature of the coatings is rapidly increased upon near-infrared light (808 nm) irradiation. The heat is transferred rapidly to the surroundings by highly thermal conductive CNTs. The light-to-heat conversion efficiency in deicing tests is approximately 50.94%, achieving a highly efficient remote deicing effect. This superhydrophobic coating combining photothermal deicing and passive anti-icing properties is expected to be further used in various practical applications and in development of a new generation of anti-icing/deicing coatings.