Search Results (97)

To address the challenges of cotton cellulose materials being susceptible to environmental humidity and pollutant erosion, a strategy for constructing superhydrophobic functional coatings with biomimetic micro–nano composite structures was proposed. Through surface silanization modification, diatomite (DEM) and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were functionalized with octyltriethoxysilane (OTS) to prepare superhydrophobic diatomite flakes (ODEM) and OFe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Following the multi-scale composite principle, ODEM and OFe₃O₄ nanoparticles were blended and crosslinked via the hydroxyl-initiated ring-opening polymerization of epoxy resin (EP), resulting in an EP/ODEM@OFe₃O₄ composite coating with hierarchical roughness. Microstructural characterization revealed that the micrometer-scale porous structure of ODEM and the nanoscale protrusions of OFe₃O₄ form a hierarchical micro–nano topography. The special topography combined with the low surface energy property leads to a contact angle of 158°. Additionally, the narrow bandgap semiconductor characteristic of OFe₃O₄ induces the localized surface plasmon resonance effect. This enables the coating to attain 80% light absorption across the 350–2500 nm spectrum, and rapidly heat to 45.8 °C within 60 s under 0.5 sun, thereby demonstrating excellent deicing performance. This work provides a theoretical foundation for developing environmentally tolerant superhydrophobic photothermal coatings, which exhibit significant application potential in the field of anti-icing and anti-fouling. Full article

Aiming at the problems of serious pavement temperature diseases, low efficiency and high loss of ice-breaking methods, high occupancy rate of waste tires and the low utilization rate and insufficient durability of rubber particles, this paper aims to improve the service level of roads and ensure the safety of winter pavements. A pavement material with high efficiency, low carbon and environmental friendliness for active snow melting and ice breaking is developed. Firstly, NaOH, NaClO and KH550 were used to optimize the treatment of rubber particles. The hydrophilic properties, surface morphology and phase composition of rubber particles before and after optimization were studied, and the optimal treatment method of rubber particles was determined. Then, the optimized rubber particles were used to replace the natural aggregate in the polyurethane gel mixture by the volume substitution method, and the optimum polyurethane gel dosages and molding and curing processes were determined. Finally, the influence law of the road performance of RPGM was compared and analyzed by means of an indoor test, and the ice-breaking effect of RPGM was explored. The results showed that the contact angles of rubber particles treated with three solutions were reduced by 22.5%, 30.2% and 36.7%, respectively. The surface energy was improved, the element types on the surface of rubber particles were reduced and the surface impurities were effectively removed. Among them, the improvement effect of the KH550 solution was the most significant. With the increase in rubber particle content from 0% to 15%, the dynamic stability of the mixture gradually increases, with a maximum increase of 23.5%. The maximum bending strain increases with the increase in its content. The residual stability increases first and then decreases with the increase in rubber particle content, and the increase ranges are 1.4%, 3.3% and 0.5%, respectively. The anti-scattering performance increases with the increase in rubber content, and an excessive amount will lead to an increase in the scattering loss rate, but it can still be maintained below 5%. The fatigue life of polyurethane gel mixtures with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% rubber particles is 2.9 times, 3.8 times, 4.3 times and 4.0 times higher than that of the AC-13 asphalt mixture, respectively, showing excellent anti-fatigue performance. The friction coefficient of the mixture increases with an increase in the rubber particle content, which can be increased by 22.3% compared with the ordinary asphalt mixture. RPGM shows better de-icing performance than traditional asphalt mixtures, and with an increase in rubber particle content, the ice-breaking ability is effectively improved. When the thickness of the ice layer exceeds 9 mm, the ice-breaking ability of the mixture is significantly weakened. Mainly through the synergistic effect of stress coupling, thermal effect and interface failure, the bonding performance of the ice–pavement interface is weakened under the action of driving load cycle, and the ice layer is loosened, broken and peeled off, achieving efficient de-icing. Full article

Anti-icing glass is particularly important for applications where ice formation can pose safety risks or impair functionality. The challenge of anti-icing modification for glass lies in maintaining water repellency while addressing the issue of transparency and durability. In this work, leveraging the robustness and wear resistance of inorganic/organic composite materials, a highly transparent coating, with strong adhesive properties to glass substrates and repellency to liquids has been developed. Briefly, 3-glycidoxypropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (GPOSS) is employed as a precursor to fabricate a high-strength, high-transparency coating through modification with acrylic acid and perfluorooctyl acrylate. The inorganic component imparts strength and wear resistance to the coating, while the organic component provides hydrophobic and near oleophobic features. Furthermore, a custom-built mechanical test instrument evaluated the absolute value of the de-icing shear force. The results reveal that at −20 °C, the fluorinated modified coating only exhibit a minimum de-icing pressure of 40.3 kPa, which is 75% lower than the unmodified glass substrate. As-prepared coating exhibits a transmittance of up to 99% and can endure a high-pressure water impact of 30 kPa for 1 min without cracking. Compared to existing anti-icing coating methods, the core innovation of the fluorinated GPOSS-based coating developed in this study lies in its inorganic/organic composite structure, which simultaneously achieves high transparency, mechanical durability, and enhanced anti-icing performance. Full article

The upper facilities of polar marine equipment face severe freezing risks in ice-covered regions, necessitating energy-efficient electric heat tracing design. Existing models neglect coupled environmental factors (temperature–wind–humidity), leading to the overestimation of heating power. In this paper, experiment and CFD simulation are used to study the change of convective heat transfer coefficients of electric tracing circular tube components under the polar coupling environmental conditions of wind speed of 0~8 m/s, temperature of −40~0 °C, and air relative humidity of 10~95%, and the corresponding mathematical prediction model is established. The results show that increasing the wind speed and relative humidity will both increase the convective heat transfer coefficient of the circular tube, while the temperature is inversely proportional to the convective heat transfer coefficient of the circular tube. The convective heat transfer coefficient shows an average growth rate of only 2.8–3.8% as the temperature decreases from −10 °C to −40 °C, which is significantly lower than the effects of wind speed (average growth rate 59–50%) and humidity (average growth rate 7.5–12.7%). When the wind speed exceeds 2 m/s, the growth rate of humidity’s effect on the coefficient increases from 17.82% to 33.96%. Mathematical prediction models can provide certain references for the calculation and design of reasonable heating amounts for anti-icing and de-icing of polar equipment’s circular tube components under ice-covered regions. Full article

Wind turbine blades are prone to icing in cold environments, which leads to decreased aerodynamic performance, increased power loss, and even endangers the safe and stable operation of wind turbines. Electric heating anti-deicing method is the most effective solution because of its flexible control, rapid response, and high deicing efficiency. However, in the process of blade high-speed rotation, the complex flow field effect significantly affects the blade heat transfer performance, which leads to the problems of high energy consumption, low heat utilization, and uneven heating of traditional electric heating anti-icing/deicing methods, limiting their application effect in complex working conditions. Based on the physical mechanism and heat exchange characteristics of electric heating deicing of wind turbine blades, a coupled flow–heat transfer numerical model suitable for complex flow field conditions was constructed in this study, aiming to realize the dynamic simulation of the global temperature field and the phase transition process of ice sheets under different heating modes. Furthermore, the deicing efficiency characteristics of continuous heating and cyclic heating modes were compared and analyzed. The blade tip section of a Sinoma87.5 was taken as the experimental object, and the deicing experiment of blade by electric heating was carried out under artificial ice-covering laboratory conditions. The simulation and experimental results show that the deicing process by electric heating can be divided into three typical stages: initial temperature rise, stagnation, and rapid temperature rise. Under the influence of incoming flow conditions, the temperature rise of the front stagnation point region lags behind that of the windward side, and the steady-state peak temperature is lower. Compared with the cyclic heating mode, the continuous heating mode can enter and cross the stagnation period more quickly. The peak steady-state temperature of the continuous heating mode is 24.2 °C, and the deviation from the simulation result is only 2.8 °C, which is within the acceptable error range, effectively verifying the reliability of the numerical calculation model established. Full article

Swimming goggles still face numerous challenges in practical use, including deterioration and failure of anti-fog coatings, residual water marks on lens surfaces, and relatively short service life in complex environments. When swimming outdoors during winter, goggles also present an icing problem. To address these problems and enhance the performance of swimming goggles, this study employs a combination of plasma cleaning and mechanical spraying methods, utilizing HB-139 SiO₂ to modify the surface of goggle lenses, thereby fabricating lenses with superhydrophobic properties. The changes in lens surfaces before and after friction and immersion treatments were characterized using three-dimensional profilometry and scanning electron microscopy, further investigating the hydrophobic, drag-reducing, wear-resistant, and anti-icing properties of the lenses. Experimental results demonstrate that SiO₂ can enhance the hydrophobic, drag-reducing, durability, and anti-icing performance of the lenses. Under standard conditions, the contact angle of modified samples reached 162.33 ± 3.15°, representing a 48.77 ± 2.15% improvement over original samples. Under friction conditions, modified samples exhibited a 45.86 ± 2.53% increase in contact angle compared to original samples, with Sa values decreasing by 58.64 ± 3.21%. Under immersion conditions, modified samples showed a 54.37 ± 2.44% increase in contact angle relative to original samples. The modified samples demonstrated excellent droplet bouncing performance at temperatures of −10 °C, 10 °C, and 30 °C. De-icing efficiency improved by 14.94 ± 2.37%. Throughout the experimental process, SiO₂ demonstrated exceptional hydrophobic, drag-reducing, durability, and anti-icing capabilities. This establishes a robust foundation for the exemplary performance of swimming goggles in both training and competitive contexts. Full article

Icing on power lines and wings can cause serious economic damage and safety hazards. While superhydrophobic materials show promise for anti-icing applications, their passive anti-icing mechanisms require external energy activation, highlighting the need for the development of active de-icing materials with energy-to-heat conversion capabilities. Here, we developed three photothermal superhydrophobic shape-memory polymers with anti-icing performance (PSSPs), with 3%, 5%, and 7% CNT doping ratios, through a two-step process: resin preparation and laser-processing modification. The results showed that all samples presented good superhydrophobic properties. In addition, the tested materials demonstrated good shape-memory performance (recovery rates were close to 100%). They also showed excellent de-icing performance. Owing to the simplicity of the fabrication process, the material is suitable for mass production. The synergistic interplay between superhydrophobicity and photothermal activation endows the material with dual-functional icephobic performance, demonstrating practical applicability in industrial cryogenic environments. Full article

Ice accumulation poses a significant hazard to aviation safety, particularly in cold weather conditions, as it can compromise aerodynamic performance, increase structural weight, and diminish lift, occasionally resulting in severe stall incidents. At present, such risks are managed through the use of energy-demanding active ice protection systems (IPSs), which operate either by inhibiting ice formation (anti-icing) or by removing existing ice (de-icing). Nonetheless, in the context of future sustainable aviation, there is a pressing need to develop IPSs with lower energy requirements. A promising approach involves hybrid IPSs that integrate conventional active systems with passive superhydrophobic or icephobic surface treatments, which are capable of preventing, delaying, or minimizing ice buildup. These systems offer the potential to substantially decrease the energy consumption and consequently the CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, in accordance with FAA regulations, active IPSs are not permitted to operate during takeoff and initial flight stages to prevent any reduction in engine thrust. These two reasons emphasize the critical importance of developing efficient coatings that, on the one hand, promote the mobility of water droplets, hereby preventing ice formation, as achieved by superhydrophobic surfaces, and on the other hand, facilitate ice detachment, as required for icephobic performance. In this context, the primary objective of the present work is to emphasize the icephobic properties of two superhydrophobic coatings. To achieve this, an extensive characterization is first conducted, including wettability, Surface Free Energy (SFE), and surface roughness, to confirm their superhydrophobic nature. This is followed by an assessment of their icephobic performance, specifically in terms of ice adhesion strength, with comparisons made against a commercial aeronautical coating. The results revealed a significant reduction in both the wettability and SFE of the developed coatings compared to the reference, along with a marked decrease in ice adhesion strength, thereby demonstrating their icephobic properties. Future activities will focus on the combination of coatings with active IPS in order to assess the energy efficiency under extensive icing conditions where both superhydrophobic and icephobic properties are required. Full article

Anti-icing and de-icing technologies are crucial in modern aviation, with optimising ice adhesion performance on material surfaces being a key challenge. This study proposes a straightforward method for fabricating hydrophobic silicone rubber surfaces using a mesh to construct microstructures. The influence of microstructure size and anisotropy on surface wettability and ice adhesion performance is systematically investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that introducing microstructures significantly enhances the hydrophobicity of silicone rubber surfaces, achieving a maximum static contact angle of 149.3 ± 1.3°. For microstructures with identical shapes, dimensional variations affect surface roughness and functional performance. Although the structure with the most significant dimension (600#-SR) exhibits the highest surface roughness, smaller structures (e.g., 1400#-SR) demonstrate superior hydrophobicity and lower ice adhesion strength, likely due to enhanced air entrapment and reduced effective solid–liquid and solid–ice contact areas. Furthermore, due to anisotropic microstructures, a marked directional difference in ice adhesion strength is observed: the lowest strength in the X direction is 38.6 kPa, compared to 63.3 kPa in the Y direction. Fine-tuning the size and configuration of microstructures effectively minimises the ice adhesion strength and enables targeted optimisation of surface properties. This research offers theoretical support for developing innovative, energy-efficient materials with superior anti-icing properties and provides new insights for crafting solutions tailored to various anti-icing needs. Full article

Solar desalination is widely regarded as an effective way to solve freshwater scarcity. However, the balance between the costs of micro-nanostructures, thermal regulation, and the durability of interface evaporators must all be considered. In this study, a super-hydrophobic copper foam with hierarchical micro-nanostructures exhibited temperatures greater than 66 °C under solar illumination of 1 kW·m⁻². Significantly, the modified copper foam acting as a solar interface evaporator had a water harvesting efficiency of 1.76 kg·m⁻²·h⁻¹, resulting from its good photothermal conversion and porous skeleton. Further, the anti-deicing, self-cleaning, and anti-abrasion tests were carried out to demonstrate its durability. The whole fabrication of the as-prepared CF was only involved in mechanical extrusion and spray-coating, which is suitable for large-scale production. This work endows the interface evaporator with super-hydrophobicity, photo-thermal conversion, anti-icing, and mechanical stability, all of which are highly demanded in multi-scenario solar desalination. Full article

Photothermal superhydrophobic surfaces with micro/nano-structured morphologies have emerged as promising candidates for anti-icing and deicing applications due to their exceptional water repellency and efficient solar-to-thermal conversion. These surfaces synergistically integrate the passive icephobicity of superhydrophobic coatings with the active heating capability of photothermal materials, offering energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for sectors such as aviation, wind energy, and transportation. Hence, they have received widespread attention in recent years. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in photothermal superhydrophobic coatings, focusing on their anti-icing/deicing mechanisms, surface wettability, and photothermal conversion performance for anti-icing/deicing applications. Special emphasis is placed on material categories, including metals and their compounds, carbon-based materials, and polymers, analyzing their structural features and application effectiveness. Furthermore, the application of anti-icing/deicing in various fields is described. Finally, perspectives on future development are presented, including pursuing fluorine-free, cost-effective, and multifunctional coatings to meet the growing demand for innovative, sustainable anti-icing/deicing technologies. Full article

Electrothermal superhydrophobic surfaces are regarded as possessing significant potential in anti-icing applications. However, their limited mechanical durability has constrained practical implementation. Herein, this work fabricated a robust electrothermal superhydrophobic surface by femtosecond laser texturing combined with the filling of functional coatings of Ti₃C₂ MXene and hydrophobic SiO₂ nanoparticles (modified with dimethyldichlorosilane), which shows great superhydrophobic anti-icing and electrothermal deicing properties, as well as outstanding mechanical durability. The as-prepared electrothermal superhydrophobic surface exhibited a water contact angle of 160.3° and achieved temperature elevation to 104.2 °C within 180 s under an applied voltage of 5 V. Furthermore, the as-prepared electrothermal superhydrophobic surface demonstrated exceptional anti-icing/deicing performance: ice formation time was prolonged to 75.2 s at −35 °C, ice adhesion strength was reduced to 14.65 kPa, and the frozen droplet on the surface melted rapidly within 10.12 s upon electrifying. Moreover, benefiting from the protection of the designed bionic armor structure (honeycomb-like structure), the as-prepared electrothermal superhydrophobic surface maintained outstanding electrothermal and anti-/deicing properties even after 200 times of blade abrasion. This work paves the way for designing robust electrothermal superhydrophobic surfaces in anti-/deicing applications. Full article

The objective of this study is to analyze bridge deck condition deterioration and evaluate the impact of concrete sealer and salt usage on deck condition and life-cycle cost. To achieve this goal, machine learning models were built to predict the evolution of bridge deck rating. The deck maintenance history shows that the average bridge age at deck overlay and deck replacement is around 25 and 50 years, respectively. Deck overlay can improve deck condition from an average rating of 6.3 to 7.1, and deck replacement can efficiently recover deck condition from an average rating of 5.3 to 8.5. The effect of concrete sealer on bridge deck condition is only observable at the stage before the first overlay, indicating that concrete sealer may not be effective over the long term. More usages of prewet salt and salt brine in anti-icing result in slightly higher deck condition ratings, while more dry salt in deicing presents slightly lower deck condition ratings, indicating the benefits of salt brine over dry salt. When concrete sealer is applied every 2 or 4 years, it can help extend the service life of the bridge deck by around 1~2 years. If concrete sealer is applied every 12 years, a 6% reduction in life cycle cost could be achieved. Full article

Ice accumulation on wind turbine blades poses a significant challenge to turbine performance and safety, and these issues have led to extensive research on developing effective anti-icing methods. Polymer-based icephobic coatings have emerged as promising solutions, given their passive nature and low energy requirements. However, developing effective icephobic coatings is a complex task. In addition to anti-icing properties, factors such as mechanical strength, durability, and resistance to UV, weathering, and rain erosion must be carefully considered to ensure these coatings withstand the harsh conditions faced by wind turbines. The main challenge in coating engineering is mastering the chemistry behind these coatings, as it determines their performance. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the suitability of current icephobic coatings for wind turbine applications, emphasizing their alignment with present industrial standards and the underlying coating chemistry. Unlike previous works, which primarily focus on the mechanical aspects of icephobicity, this review highlights the critical yet underexplored role of chemical composition and explores recent advancements in polymer-based icephobic coatings. Additionally, earlier studies largely neglect the specific standards required for industrial applications on wind turbines. By demonstrating that no existing coating fully meets all necessary criteria, this work underscores both the urgency of developing icephobic coatings with improved durability and the pressing need to establish robust, application-specific standards for wind turbines. The review also combines insights from cutting-edge research on icephobic coatings that are coupled with active de-icing methods, known as the hybrid approach. By organizing and summarizing these innovations, the review aims to accelerate the development of reliable and efficient wind energy systems to pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future. Full article

Winter road safety is significantly compromised by ice formation, leading to increased vehicular accidents due to reduced friction. Traditional anti-icing strategies, such as chemical deicers, present environmental and structural drawbacks, necessitating innovative solutions. This study evaluates methyl methacrylate (MMA)-based resin composites for anti-icing and skid-resistant applications. These composites are particularly intended for application on asphalt and concrete pavements in urban roads, highways, and other high-traffic areas prone to icing during winter. MMA composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties, including tensile strength of up to 10 MPa and compressive strength of 34 MPa under optimized formulations. These composites are specifically developed for application on asphalt and concrete pavements commonly found in urban roads, highways, and other high-traffic areas, where icing and skid resistance are critical challenges during winter conditions. Anti-icing performance was enhanced by incorporating additives like magnesium chloride hexahydrate, achieving a freezing point reduction to −12.9 °C and a heat of solution of 0.429 kJ/g. Laboratory tests revealed that increasing anti-icing additives reduced ice adhesion and melting time, with a trade-off in compressive strength, which decreased from 30 MPa (unmodified) to 16 MPa at higher additive concentrations. Skid resistance was improved through the addition of high-friction aggregates, ensuring durability under icy and wet conditions. These results highlight MMA composites as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional deicing methods, offering enhanced road safety and reduced environmental impact. Further research is recommended to optimize formulations and validate performance through field trials under varying climatic conditions. Full article