Hierarchical Icephobic Surfaces with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Anti‐Icing

Abstract Icing remains a major challenge in industrial and environmental applications, leading to efficiency losses, safety hazards, and substantial economic impacts. Conventional deicing methods are energy‐intensive and environmentally unsustainable, often requiring high energy inputs, extensive op...

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Main Authors: Lei Zhang, Yongle Feng, Xixin Cao, Yue Dong, Weihong Liu, Bing Li, Jing Li, Chonglei Hao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502945
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author Lei Zhang
Yongle Feng
Xixin Cao
Yue Dong
Weihong Liu
Bing Li
Jing Li
Chonglei Hao
author_facet Lei Zhang
Yongle Feng
Xixin Cao
Yue Dong
Weihong Liu
Bing Li
Jing Li
Chonglei Hao
author_sort Lei Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Icing remains a major challenge in industrial and environmental applications, leading to efficiency losses, safety hazards, and substantial economic impacts. Conventional deicing methods are energy‐intensive and environmentally unsustainable, often requiring high energy inputs, extensive operational maintenance, or the use of harmful chemicals. These drawbacks underscore the need for advanced, scalable solutions that are both efficient and environmentally responsible. Here, the armored photothermal icephobic structured surface (APISS) is presented that combines superhydrophobicity and photothermal effects to deliver superior anti‐icing performance. The APISS consists hierarchical micro‐nanostructures with titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles encapsulated in a silica shell, ensuring exceptional durability and efficient solar energy conversion. Under 1 sun illumination, APISS achieves a temperature increase of 35 °C, effectively melting ice within 179 s and preventing refreezing. Its superhydrophobic properties facilitate the removal of melted water, maintaining a clean and dry surface. Comprehensive testing reveals that APISS significantly outperforms existing anti‐icing materials in scalability, durability, and sustainability, making it highly suitable for renewable energy, aviation, and infrastructure maintenance. The work highlights APISS as an advanced approach to anti‐icing technology, addressing critical challenges with a scalable and environmentally friendly solution.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2198-3844
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Advanced Science
spelling doaj-art-85212d034b87425cace4a47634a75fc62025-08-20T02:40:00ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-07-011227n/an/a10.1002/advs.202502945Hierarchical Icephobic Surfaces with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Anti‐IcingLei Zhang0Yongle Feng1Xixin Cao2Yue Dong3Weihong Liu4Bing Li5Jing Li6Chonglei Hao7School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen 518055 ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen 518055 ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen 518055 ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen 518055 ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen 518055 ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen 518055 ChinaDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR 999077 ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen 518055 ChinaAbstract Icing remains a major challenge in industrial and environmental applications, leading to efficiency losses, safety hazards, and substantial economic impacts. Conventional deicing methods are energy‐intensive and environmentally unsustainable, often requiring high energy inputs, extensive operational maintenance, or the use of harmful chemicals. These drawbacks underscore the need for advanced, scalable solutions that are both efficient and environmentally responsible. Here, the armored photothermal icephobic structured surface (APISS) is presented that combines superhydrophobicity and photothermal effects to deliver superior anti‐icing performance. The APISS consists hierarchical micro‐nanostructures with titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles encapsulated in a silica shell, ensuring exceptional durability and efficient solar energy conversion. Under 1 sun illumination, APISS achieves a temperature increase of 35 °C, effectively melting ice within 179 s and preventing refreezing. Its superhydrophobic properties facilitate the removal of melted water, maintaining a clean and dry surface. Comprehensive testing reveals that APISS significantly outperforms existing anti‐icing materials in scalability, durability, and sustainability, making it highly suitable for renewable energy, aviation, and infrastructure maintenance. The work highlights APISS as an advanced approach to anti‐icing technology, addressing critical challenges with a scalable and environmentally friendly solution.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502945armored silica shelldurabilityhierarchical micro‐nanostructuresicephobic surfacesphotothermal effects
spellingShingle Lei Zhang
Yongle Feng
Xixin Cao
Yue Dong
Weihong Liu
Bing Li
Jing Li
Chonglei Hao
Hierarchical Icephobic Surfaces with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Anti‐Icing
Advanced Science
armored silica shell
durability
hierarchical micro‐nanostructures
icephobic surfaces
photothermal effects
title Hierarchical Icephobic Surfaces with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Anti‐Icing
title_full Hierarchical Icephobic Surfaces with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Anti‐Icing
title_fullStr Hierarchical Icephobic Surfaces with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Anti‐Icing
title_full_unstemmed Hierarchical Icephobic Surfaces with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Anti‐Icing
title_short Hierarchical Icephobic Surfaces with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Anti‐Icing
title_sort hierarchical icephobic surfaces with enhanced photothermal performance for sustainable anti icing
topic armored silica shell
durability
hierarchical micro‐nanostructures
icephobic surfaces
photothermal effects
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502945
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AT yonglefeng hierarchicalicephobicsurfaceswithenhancedphotothermalperformanceforsustainableantiicing
AT xixincao hierarchicalicephobicsurfaceswithenhancedphotothermalperformanceforsustainableantiicing
AT yuedong hierarchicalicephobicsurfaceswithenhancedphotothermalperformanceforsustainableantiicing
AT weihongliu hierarchicalicephobicsurfaceswithenhancedphotothermalperformanceforsustainableantiicing
AT bingli hierarchicalicephobicsurfaceswithenhancedphotothermalperformanceforsustainableantiicing
AT jingli hierarchicalicephobicsurfaceswithenhancedphotothermalperformanceforsustainableantiicing
AT chongleihao hierarchicalicephobicsurfaceswithenhancedphotothermalperformanceforsustainableantiicing