Study on durable icephobic surfaces modified with phase change oil impregnation

Abstract

The build-up of ice on critical infrastructure could cause severe disruptions and substantial economic consequences. The application of ice-repellent surfaces has been identified as a promising approach to tackle and mitigate the problem. The main challenge is to ensure they can endure harsh environmental conditions and maintain long-term mechanical durability. This study presents an innovative design concept that incorporates phase change liquids with Ni scaffolds and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in a multi-phase ice-repellent construction. Incorporating phase change liquids within the oil-infused surface construction facilitates the absorption and subsequent release of heat during the icing process. The supercooled droplets took significantly longer (7–8 times) to ice on the sample surfaces compared to aluminum alloy, attributed to the solidification of phase change liquids at low temperatures, resulting in decreased oil depletion during de-icing. Furthermore, the durability enhancement effect was validated by the weight maintenance ratio of samples, which remained almost unchanged after undergoing 50 cycles of icing/de-icing tests, providing a practical solution for addressing concerns on oil depletion in prolonged service conditions.