Ice adhesion properties of periodic surface microtextured optically transparent superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane

Abstract

There is a need for optically transparent surfaces which repel water and eliminate ice formation in applications, such as solar power generation. Surface microtexture has played an important role in controlling wetting properties and ice adhesion pressure. Here we report the effect of periodic surface microtexture on water wetting properties and ice adhesion pressure for optically transparent Polydimethylsiloxane. Laser ablation was used to produce surface microtexture on an aluminum substrate and was transferred onto a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface via hot embossing. The control of laser processing patterns with smooth area from 53.8% to 89.6% enabled fine-tuning of the wetting and ice adhesion properties. PDMS with a grid microtexture pattern has proven to be superhydrophobic and exhibited an ice adhesion pressure as low as 60.1 kPa, allowing the achievement of a water repellent and anti-icing surface. The surface wetting and anti-icing properties of the microtextured surfaces were quantified by the measurement of the receding contact angle (RCA), contact angle hysteresis (CAH), and ice adhesion pressure. Various publications have pointed to the ROA, RCA, or CAH as a predictor of low ice adhesion pressures for smooth surfaces. For microtextured surfaces, it was found that the CAH was the most accurate predictor of ice adhesion pressure.