Inhibition of surface ice nucleation by combination of superhydrophobic coating and alcohol spraying

Delaying and suppressing frost formation is of significance due to its wide application in many fields. In the present study, the characteristics of superhydrophobic surface inhibiting the condensation icing/frost were obtained and the turning point of coverage area was observed, which could be used as the new criterion for the onset of icing on the superhydrophobic surface. It was also found that during the frost accumulation period, the frost shedding occurred at the junction of hydrophilic and superhydrophobic regions when the hybrid surface was inverted. In addition, the results highlighted that the combination of active ethanol spraying and passive superhydrophobic coating could completely avoid the occurrence of condensation icing/frost.