Functionalized superhydrophobic quartz fabric with electro-photo-thermal conversion performance: Designed for low-cost and efficient self-heating deicing

Abstract

Multifunctional, high-performance anti-icing/deicing surfaces are desired for resisting/delaying the formation of ice or reducing ice adhesion strength, but their application is limited due to poor flexibility and durability. In this work, an easy method is used to make an anti-icing/deicing surface by carbonizing and fluorinating on a soft quartz fabric (QF). Carbonizing pretreatment of quartz fabric makes carbon nanoparticles adhere to surface, decreasing the surface energy. Moreover, a dual-scale micro/nano structure is formed by microscale fabric and nanoparticles. By dipping 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane (FAS–17), the surface energy is further reduced and a superhydrophobic surface is obtained. The carbonated and fluorinated quartz fabric (QF–CF) has a water contact angle (WCA) of 150.2° and a low roll–off angle (RA) of 5°. The QF-CF membrane also exhibits superior self-heating performance with a dual-driving energy (electro-photo-thermal) conversion. Under voltage of 13 V, the temperature on QF–CF surface increases from room temperature to 249 °C. Under near infrared light (NIR, 2.5 W·cm−2) irradiation, a rapid light-to-heat response is observed and the temperature on surface reaches over 300 °C in 2 s. Impressively, the QF–CF exhibits excellent anti-icing performance, with a maximum icing delay time of 6 min and electro-thermal efficiency of 449 °C/ (W cm2). The multifunctional QF–CF heater is a promising and ideal candidate for future low-cost and efficient anti-icing/deicing material.