Porous Graphene‐Based Photothermal Superhydrophobic Surface for Robust Anti‐Icing and Efficient De‐Icing

Abstract The problem of ice accumulation causes huge inconvenience in daily life and industrial application. Although superhydrophobic surfaces are promising for preventing ice formation, they may become ineffective in extreme environments. Here, a durable photothermal superhydrophobic surface on aluminum substrate (SHPo‐LIG@Al) is prepared through laser‐induced graphene (LIG) technology of polyimide (PI). Owing to the photothermal effect of graphene, the surface exhibits high light absorption rate (≈98%) and efficient photothermal conversion (surface temperature rises to 65 °C within 15 min under 1 sun). Compared to the conventional superhydrophobic surface (SHPo‐Al), ultra‐long droplet freezing time or even droplet un‐frozen is achieved on SHPo‐LIG@Al surface by varying the sunlight intensity. Moreover, it is interesting to find that satellite condensate droplets are formed around the three‐phase contact line of deposited droplet under 1 sun or 2 sun; the satellite condensate droplets would gradually evaporate till disappear and then bubbles start to nucleate on solid surface underneath the deposited droplet under 2 sun. Furthermore, the SHPo‐LIG@Al surface exhibits retarded frost formation and remarkable de‐icing/de‐frosting durability under sunlight irradiation, as well as self‐cleaning, chemical stability and corrosion resistance. This study may provide important insights for the development of photothermal superhydrophobic surface for anti‐icing/de‐icing applications.