Biomimetic Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Polydimethylsiloxane Nanocomposites with Temperature-Controlled, Hydrophobic, and Icephobic Properties

Abstract

Retarding and preventing ice/frost formation have increasing importance in aerospace applications because of widespread energy and safety concerns. In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotube−polydimethylsiloxane (MWCNT/PDMS) nanocomposites were fabricated via mechanical stirring and three-roll grinding. By imitating the microstructures of lotus leaves, various biomimetic nanocomposites were prepared by etching micropillar arrays on MWCNT/PDMS nanocomposites. These biomimetic nanocomposites possess superior flexibility, electrical conductivity, hydrophobicity, and icephobicity. Effects of the micropillar height on the wettability, freezing process of water droplets, ice/frost formation, and ice adhesion strength were characterized; influences of temperature on the wettability and strength of ice adhesion and feasibility of electrothermal deicing were investigated. The surface wettability, freezing process of water droplets, ice/frost formation, and ice adhesion strength in the Cassie state are independent of the micropillar height. However, compared to flat surfaces, the adhesion strength of ice increases, and formation of ice/frost decreases because of the presence of surface micropillars. At the same micropillar height, an increase in temperature decreases the contact angle and ice adhesion strength. The results indicate that the surface microstructure designability and flexible temperature-controllability of biomimetic nanocomposites have great potential for use in aerospace (anti-/deicing) applications.

Smart low interfacial toughness coatings for on-demand de-icing without melting

“…Electrical devices have been widely employed for active de-icing on a variety of surfaces [6][7][8] and utilize joule heating to raise the temperature of the accreted ice above 0 °C, facilitating its removal through a phase change to liquid water [9][10][11][12] . Proper thermal/electrical conductivity is required to maximize the de-icing efficiency while minimizing energy consumption 9,13,14 .…”

“…Electrical devices have been widely employed for active de-icing on a variety of surfaces [6][7][8] and utilize joule heating to raise the temperature of the accreted ice above 0 °C, facilitating its removal through a phase change to liquid water [9][10][11][12] . Proper thermal/electrical conductivity is required to maximize the de-icing efficiency while minimizing energy consumption 9,13,14 . Graphene-based heaters 6,15 , hot air pumping 16 , conductive polymer-based heaters [17][18][19] and, most commonly, metallic heating systems [20][21][22][23] have all been used to provide sufficient heat to melt the interfacial ice.…”

Bioinspired carbon nanotube-based materials

“…application of bioinspired CNT-based materials in nanopatterned surfaces. 132,133 Liz-Marza ´n et al reported classical sea-anemonelike CNT-based hollow capsules with magnetic and reinforced properties. The CNT-coated Fe 3 O 4 NP@PS spheres were used as the ''hair'' to provide the reinforcement.…”

“…Besides their potential as reinforcing materials with high mechanical strength and chemical stability, the unique nanoscale morphology, low hydrophilicity, and optical characteristics of assembled structures of CNTs are also instructive for the application of bioinspired CNT-based materials in nanopatterned surfaces. 132,133 Liz-Marzán et al reported classical sea-anemone-like CNT-based hollow capsules with magnetic and reinforced properties. The CNT-coated Fe 3 O 4 NP@PS spheres were used as the “hair” to provide the reinforcement.…”

General mechanism and mitigation for strong adhesion of frozen oil sands on solid substrates

“…Combined with the surface micro/nano-structures, PDMS substrate can achieve superhydrophobicity, and the ice adhesion strength can be reduced to less than 20 kP a. 13,14 Oil infusion into PDMS substrates can reduce the ice adhesion even further (< 10 kP a). 15 However, the durability of the lubricated PDMS substrate is influenced by the depletion of the lubrication oil layer by the icing-deicing cycles.…”