Functionalized super-hydrophobic nanocomposite surface integrating with anti-icing and drag reduction properties

Abstract

Anti-icing and drag reduction are two significant issues for aircraft, but functional surfaces integrating both properties are rarely reported. Here, we propose a functional super-hydrophobic nanocomposite surface with sharkskin-like groove structures, which achieves the combination of anti-icing and drag reduction properties. The nanocomposite surface was prepared by stripping polydimethylsiloxane doped with carbon nanotubes from a laser-prepared sharkskin-like structure mold and then spraying a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene hydrophobic coating. The microstructures and nanoparticles with low surface energy provide the surface with hydrophobicity and icephobicity, enabling droplet transitions between Cassie and Wenzel states during icing-melting process. Carbon nanotubes enhance the Joule heating performance when voltage is applied. Ice at interface melts into water film, significantly reducing adhesion and enabling efficient anti-icing. Under the influence of the bionic sharkskin riblet structure, the vortices are lifted and pinned above the riblet tips, which reduces the near-wall velocity gradient and total wall shear stress, ultimately leading to lower drag. In addition, the flexible surface undergoes adaptive deformation to more effectively conform to the fluid flow during motion. The riblet protrusions increase the contact area between the flexible surface and the fluid, thereby enabling the absorption of more turbulent energy and fluctuations, further reduces drag. This study presents a new method for manufacturing functional surfaces for practical anti-icing and drag reduction applications.