Flexible Electrothermal Hydrophobic Self-Lubricating Tape for Controllable Anti-icing and De-icing

Abstract

In winter, the freezing phenomenon threatens the safety of people both in the work and home environments. At present, electrothermal de-icing technology is widely used, but how to improve the portability and anti-icing/de-icing efficiency of electrothermal de-icing technology has attracted extensive attention. Here, we proposed a simple yet universal flexible electrothermal hydrophobic self-lubricating tape (EHT) with a multilayer structure including an electrothermal layer and hydrophobic self-lubricating layer on a polyimide base. The resulting tape surface exhibits a hydrophobic/electrothermal synergistic effect on anti-icing and de-icing performance. Compared with the electrothermal tape (ET) without a hydrophobic self-lubricating layer, the friction coefficient and ice adhesion strength on the EHT surface were reduced by 29% and 57%, respectively. In addition, the hydrophobic self-lubrication effect of EHT can reduce the adhesion of supercooled water droplets on its surface in an extremely harsh environment to allow more de-icing easily under joule heat, and the different electrothermal power demand in diverse surroundings can be controlled by adjustable voltage. More importantly, the uniform EHT material can be prepared in a large area using a traditional blade-coating process that gives a convenient route to anti-icing in the engineering protection field.

Electrical Heaters for Anti/De-Icing of Polymer Structures

“…In [ 158 , 167 ] authors presented a combined multilayer anti/de-icing effect by applying a superhydrophobic thin-film coating over a PNC heater. Figure 17 compares the results of a de-icing test under identical environmental conditions for three surfaces: the PNC heater combined with a superhydrophobic coating (S-EC), the PNC heater without the superhydrophobic layer (EC), and a polyimide heating film (HF) as a traditional heater.…”

Photothermal MOF-Based Multifunctional Coating with Passive and Active Protection Synergy

“…15,16 In addition, hydrophobic nanomaterials combined with adhesives are suitable for the construction of microscale protrusions and nanolayered structures. 17,18 As a new class of organic−inorganic hybrid materials, metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) are frequently used for superhydrophobic applications due to their good chemical stability, size tunability, and chemical modifiability. 19−21 Surface modification of MOFs with molecules and polymers can endow them with tailored functionality.…”

“…When water droplets stay on the superhydrophobic surface, the airbag in the rough structure reduces the liquid–solid contact area and delays freezing . For static delayed freezing and dynamic liquid rejection, low surface energy and micro–nanostructures are key factors. , In addition, hydrophobic nanomaterials combined with adhesives are suitable for the construction of microscale protrusions and nanolayered structures. , …”

Photothermal Superhydrophobic Coating Based on Polypyrrole-Modified Boron Nitride with Exceptional Anti-Icing and Deicing Performance

“…28 Photothermal and electrothermal materials have been inves-tigated not only for coatings but also for gels, 29 sponge, 30 and tapes. 31 In recent years, anti-icing and deicing materials are needed in more and more fields, such as aircraft, high-voltage transmission towers, 32 and polar regions. Therefore, composite coatings with multiple properties such as corrosion resistance and self-healing 33 have become a hot research topic.…”

“…Additionally, it is also difficult to avoid icing and frosting on superhydrophobic surfaces under extreme humidity and low-temperature environmental conditions, while deicing of superhydrophobic surfaces can be time-consuming. , Therefore, superhydrophobic surfaces with passive anti-icing and active deicing properties are ideal. − Active deicing mainly includes photothermal and electrothermal deicing . Photothermal and electrothermal materials have been investigated not only for coatings but also for gels, sponge, and tapes . In recent years, anti-icing and deicing materials are needed in more and more fields, such as aircraft, high-voltage transmission towers, and polar regions.…”