Fabrication of transparent icephobic surfaces with self-reparability: Effect of structuring and thickness of the lubricant-elastomer layer

Abstract

Biomimetic lubricant-infused slippery surface (LISS) has attracted extensive attention as an alternative to a superhydrophobic surface (SHS) for icephobic applications. In this work, the impact of the material parameters of LISS with a lubricant-elastomer layer on icephobic performance is reported. A layer of polydimethylsiloxane elastomer and silicone oil on smooth and structured polypropylene (PP) surfaces was spin-coated by a simple one-step procedure. Results demonstrate that the ultra-smooth lubricant-elastomer layer (LEL) has an extremely low water contact angle hysteresis. Compared to SHS and smooth surface, the LISSs reduced ice adhesion by an order of magnitude due to its molecular homogeneity, low contact area, and strain mismatch. The LISSs exhibited excellent dynamic mobility at −10 °C, shear stability, evaporation resistance, mechanical robustness, and transparency. Physically damaged LISS can self-repair at 80 °C. The change in structures and LEL thickness of structured PP has little effect on ice adhesion. As the LEL thickness on a smooth PP increases, the ice adhesion decreases. The smooth PP with a thick LEL has very low ice adhesion, indicating that the roughness is not necessary for maintaining the slippery properties. Transparent, stable, anti-dusting, and self-repairing LELs on smooth materials have potential for icephobic applications.