A Review on Ultrafast Laser Enabled Excellent Superhydrophobic Anti-Icing Performances

Abstract

Fabricating and developing superhydrophobic anti-icing surfaces have been a research hotspot for eliminating undesired icing issues. Among various fabricating strategies, ultrafast laser micro-nano fabrication is regarded as a greatly promising technique owing to its advantages of high geometric accuracy, highly flexible microstructure or dimension availability, no contact, and no material limitation. A number of diverse micro-nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces have been developed by ultrafast lasers and demonstrated extraordinary anti-icing properties. They are collectively known as ultrafast laser-fabricated superhydrophobic anti-icing surfaces (ULSASs). In this article, we reviewed the recent advances in ULSASs from micro-nano structure fabricating to anti-icing performances and to potential applications. The surface wettability and mechanisms of ultrafast laser micro-nano fabrication are first introduced, showing the strong ability of ultrafast laser for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces. Then the deepened understanding of the relationship between superhydrophobicity and icephobicity is discussed in detail, including Cassie–Baxter stability, surface durability and environmental adaptability. Eventually, the passive anti-icing technique, the passive/active combined anti-icing technique and their practical applications are presented together with current challenges and future prospects.

Superhydrophobic Non-Metallic Surfaces with Multiscale Nano/Micro-Structure: Fabrication and Application

“…In view of these security risks and energy waste issues, the superhydrophobic modification of material surfaces has become a potential solution to anti-icing issues in recent years [168,169]. The characteristics of a low surface energy, high contact angle and low roll-off angle exhibited by superhydrophobic surfaces can effectively prevent the condensation of water vapor from the air on the surface of equipment and expedite the rolling of water droplets, thereby preventing or delaying icing [163,170,171].…”

A Superhydrophobic Anti-Icing Surface with a Honeycomb Nanopore Structure

“…These methods are increasingly being recognized [9,10]. Among them, the superhydrophobic (SHP) coating or surface based on bionic technology can use its excellent hydrophobic properties to reduce water droplet adhesion, delay icing time and reduce ice adhesion strength [11,12], which is expected to achieve the intrinsic permanent anti-icing performance of transmission lines [13]. However, the current SHP coating or surface still faces technical bottlenecks that are difficult to overcome.…”

Spontaneous Directional Transportation Surface of Water Droplet and Gas Bubble: A Review

“…In recent years, fluid transportation has gradually gained attention because of the development of precision medicine, micro-devices, and green energy collection. Researchers found that surfaces for water and gas transportation had numerous applications such as fog collection, heat transfer, drug transportation, and so on [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. However, when a water droplet touches a solid surface, it will perform some indeterminate behaviors, such as impacting, jumping, trapping, and spreading.…”