An abrasion-resistant, photothermal, superhydrophobic anti-icing coating prepared by polysiloxane-modified carbon nanotubes and fluorine-silicone resin

Hydrophobic modification of carbon nanotubes was performed using poly(methyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropyl siloxane) (PMTFPS). Then a superhydrophobic anti-icing coating with photothermal effect was successfully prepared by using fluorine-silicone resin as a binder and building a micro-nano structure using hydrophobic carbon nanotubes. The coating has good hydrophobic properties with a contact angle of 160.8° and a sliding angle of 2°. The performance of the coating was also evaluated by sandpaper abrasion test, complete freezing time, ice adhesion strength, and infrared irradiation. The coating maintained good hydrophobicity even after 100 cycles of abrasion or after being immersed for 12 h in solutions with different conditions. The good abrasion resistance and chemical durability of the coating in aqueous solutions were demonstrated. The complete freezing time of 10 µl water droplet on the coating surface was prolonged by 11.6 times at − 15 °C. The ice adhesion strength of the coating was only 33.3 kPa, which was 92.1% lower than that of the tinplate. After 50 de-icing cycles, the ice adhesion strength on the coating was still relatively stable. The coating had significant photothermal properties, with the temperature rising 14.3 °C after 1 min irradiation by a 150 W infrared light. • The superhydrophobic photothermal coating was prepared by combining modified CNTs with fluorine-silicone resin. • The coating had good abrasion resistance, and the contact angle was still higher than 150° after 100 cycles of abrasion. • The coating had a strong anti-icing ability, and the complete icing time was prolonged by 11.6 times at −15 °C. • The coating has significant photothermal properties, with the temperature rising to 45.1 °C after 10 min irradiation.