Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical Implementation

Ice accumulation on wind turbine blades poses a significant challenge to turbine performance and safety, and these issues have led to extensive research on developing effective anti-icing methods. Polymer-based icephobic coatings have emerged as promising solutions, given their passive nature and lo...

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Main Authors: Ghazal Minoofar, Amirhossein Jalali Kandeloos, Mohammad Sadegh Koochaki, Gelareh Momen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Crystals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/2/139
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author Ghazal Minoofar
Amirhossein Jalali Kandeloos
Mohammad Sadegh Koochaki
Gelareh Momen
author_facet Ghazal Minoofar
Amirhossein Jalali Kandeloos
Mohammad Sadegh Koochaki
Gelareh Momen
author_sort Ghazal Minoofar
collection DOAJ
description Ice accumulation on wind turbine blades poses a significant challenge to turbine performance and safety, and these issues have led to extensive research on developing effective anti-icing methods. Polymer-based icephobic coatings have emerged as promising solutions, given their passive nature and low energy requirements. However, developing effective icephobic coatings is a complex task. In addition to anti-icing properties, factors such as mechanical strength, durability, and resistance to UV, weathering, and rain erosion must be carefully considered to ensure these coatings withstand the harsh conditions faced by wind turbines. The main challenge in coating engineering is mastering the chemistry behind these coatings, as it determines their performance. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the suitability of current icephobic coatings for wind turbine applications, emphasizing their alignment with present industrial standards and the underlying coating chemistry. Unlike previous works, which primarily focus on the mechanical aspects of icephobicity, this review highlights the critical yet underexplored role of chemical composition and explores recent advancements in polymer-based icephobic coatings. Additionally, earlier studies largely neglect the specific standards required for industrial applications on wind turbines. By demonstrating that no existing coating fully meets all necessary criteria, this work underscores both the urgency of developing icephobic coatings with improved durability and the pressing need to establish robust, application-specific standards for wind turbines. The review also combines insights from cutting-edge research on icephobic coatings that are coupled with active de-icing methods, known as the hybrid approach. By organizing and summarizing these innovations, the review aims to accelerate the development of reliable and efficient wind energy systems to pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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spelling doaj-art-d0ee1d83e46d44d99ca1426c13014c532025-08-20T03:12:14ZengMDPI AGCrystals2073-43522025-01-0115213910.3390/cryst15020139Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical ImplementationGhazal Minoofar0Amirhossein Jalali Kandeloos1Mohammad Sadegh Koochaki2Gelareh Momen3Department of Applied Sciences, University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC), 555, boul. de l’Université, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 4E5, CanadaDepartment of Functional Materials and Catalysis, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Applied Sciences, University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC), 555, boul. de l’Université, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 4E5, CanadaDepartment of Applied Sciences, University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC), 555, boul. de l’Université, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 4E5, CanadaIce accumulation on wind turbine blades poses a significant challenge to turbine performance and safety, and these issues have led to extensive research on developing effective anti-icing methods. Polymer-based icephobic coatings have emerged as promising solutions, given their passive nature and low energy requirements. However, developing effective icephobic coatings is a complex task. In addition to anti-icing properties, factors such as mechanical strength, durability, and resistance to UV, weathering, and rain erosion must be carefully considered to ensure these coatings withstand the harsh conditions faced by wind turbines. The main challenge in coating engineering is mastering the chemistry behind these coatings, as it determines their performance. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the suitability of current icephobic coatings for wind turbine applications, emphasizing their alignment with present industrial standards and the underlying coating chemistry. Unlike previous works, which primarily focus on the mechanical aspects of icephobicity, this review highlights the critical yet underexplored role of chemical composition and explores recent advancements in polymer-based icephobic coatings. Additionally, earlier studies largely neglect the specific standards required for industrial applications on wind turbines. By demonstrating that no existing coating fully meets all necessary criteria, this work underscores both the urgency of developing icephobic coatings with improved durability and the pressing need to establish robust, application-specific standards for wind turbines. The review also combines insights from cutting-edge research on icephobic coatings that are coupled with active de-icing methods, known as the hybrid approach. By organizing and summarizing these innovations, the review aims to accelerate the development of reliable and efficient wind energy systems to pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/2/139ice protection requirementswind turbinepassive methodsicephobic coatingshybrid methods
spellingShingle Ghazal Minoofar
Amirhossein Jalali Kandeloos
Mohammad Sadegh Koochaki
Gelareh Momen
Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical Implementation
Crystals
ice protection requirements
wind turbine
passive methods
icephobic coatings
hybrid methods
title Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical Implementation
title_full Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical Implementation
title_fullStr Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical Implementation
title_full_unstemmed Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical Implementation
title_short Progress in Icephobic Coatings for Wind Turbine Protection: Merging Chemical Innovation with Practical Implementation
title_sort progress in icephobic coatings for wind turbine protection merging chemical innovation with practical implementation
topic ice protection requirements
wind turbine
passive methods
icephobic coatings
hybrid methods
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/2/139
work_keys_str_mv AT ghazalminoofar progressinicephobiccoatingsforwindturbineprotectionmergingchemicalinnovationwithpracticalimplementation
AT amirhosseinjalalikandeloos progressinicephobiccoatingsforwindturbineprotectionmergingchemicalinnovationwithpracticalimplementation
AT mohammadsadeghkoochaki progressinicephobiccoatingsforwindturbineprotectionmergingchemicalinnovationwithpracticalimplementation
AT gelarehmomen progressinicephobiccoatingsforwindturbineprotectionmergingchemicalinnovationwithpracticalimplementation