Fabrication of periodic hierarchical structures with anti-icing performance by direct laser interference lithography and hydrothermal treatment

Abstract

Ice accumulation could result in a massive economic burden as well as major life safety issues. Because of their immense potential to ease icing problems, superhydrophobic structures have captured the curiosity of many researchers. Herein, the periodic hierarchical porous structures that have outstanding anti-icing performance were created using two-beam direct laser interference lithography and hydrothermal treatment. The periodic hierarchical porous structures were composed of periodic micro ridge arrays covered with interlaced grown standing nanoflakes. The high-water repellency of the periodic hierarchical porous structures was characterized by the high contact angle and the low rolling angle of 163.7° ± 1.5° and 3.4° ± 0.8°, respectively. The high-water repellency of the periodic hierarchical porous structures exhibits a long-term stability in air and durability in contact with water. The experimental results indicated that the anti-icing performance of the periodic hierarchical porous structures was achieved through the long-term inhibition of ice nucleation and low ice adhesion strength. The ice nucleation inhibition time could reach up to 378 s, which was more than 11.8 times longer than the untreated surface. The ice adhesion strength could be reduced to 48.3 kPa, which was more than 6.3 times lower than the untreated surface. The proposed manufacturing strategy and designed structures could be useful for designing anti-icing structures.