Multifunctional Oil‐Entangled Matrix Spray for Maritime Sustainability

Abstract

AbstractMaritime transport, as the backbone of international trade, contributes to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. One major challenge to the sustainability of marine shipping is the fuel consumption associated with flow resistance to ship hulls. While passive approaches like superhydrophobic or lubricant‐infused surfaces hold promise for drag reduction, their scalability, stability, and durability are limited, particularly in oceanic scenarios. Here, an oil‐entangled matrix spray (OEMs) coating is developed to overcome the limitations of conventional surface modification. To create a drag‐reduction surface, liquid lubricant is rationally integrated with a polymer matrix, enabling the firm retention of the lubricant while maintaining high adhesion to various substrates. The resulting slippery interface achieves up to 48% drag reduction compared to an unmodified surface in a water tunnel test. Additionally, the hydrophobic, chemically inert, smooth, and slippery interface of OEMs enables multifunction of the coated substrates, including corrosion resistance to seawater and acid, reduced frosting accretion (by up to 68%), and low shear adhesion to ice (<11 kPa). Furthermore, the OEMs provides a universal platform to integrate customized functions such as photothermal effects, further enhancing interface performances by synergizing solar thermal energy and surface slipperiness. This study presents a promising surface modification strategy for improving the sustainability of marine vehicles where scalable, durable, and multifunctional surfaces are desired to achieve sustainable drag reduction under oceanic cruising and extreme weather conditions.