Bioinspired Stimuli‐Responsive and Antifreeze‐Secreting Anti‐Icing Coatings

Abstract

The detrimental impacts of icing on transportation and power industries are well‐known. Inspired by natural systems that secrete a functional liquid in response to stimuli, this work introduces an anti‐icing coating that responds to surface icing by releasing antifreeze liquid. It consists of an outer porous superhydrophobic epidermis and a wick‐like underlying dermis that is infused with antifreeze liquid. The functionality of the new coating is validated through condensation frosting, simulated freezing fog, and freezing rain experiments. In the tested conditions, the introduced anti‐icing skin delays onset of frost, rime, and glaze accumulation at least ten times longer than anti‐icing superhydrophobic and lubricant impregnated surfaces. Furthermore, the coating delays onset of glaze formation ten times longer than surfaces flooded with a thin film of antifreeze. In each of the icing scenarios, the fundamental mechanisms responsible for antifreeze release and their relation to required antifreeze replenishment rates are described.