Superhydrophobic coating with electro-photo-thermal conversion properties for all-weather anti-icing

Outdoor icing is an unavoidable phenomenon that causes inconvenience in human life. Nowadays, developed anti-icing coatings combining active and passive methods usually face the problems of unstable solar energy supply or excessive electrical energy consumption. Combining photothermal conversion with electrothermal properties can result in more energy-efficient, controllable, and long-lasting anti-icing/deicing coatings. Therefore, in this study, a composite coating with electrothermal, photothermal, and superhydrophobic properties was prepared by utilizing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polypyrrole (PPy). Water droplets take 14 times longer to freeze on coating surface than bare substrates due to the high contact angles (156°) and low sliding angles (8°). Based on the amazing light absorption rate (97.33 %) and excellent electrothermal properties (95.7 °C), which prevent ice or frost from forming on the surface of the coating under 1 sun irradiation or 0.20 W·cm−2 electrical power density input. This coating shows promising application due to its self-cleaning, low-temperature hydrophobicity, abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance.