A Wind Tunnel Test of the Anti-Icing Properties of MoS2/ZnO Hydrophobic Nano-Coatings for Wind Turbine Blades

Abstract

Wind turbines operating in cold regions are prone to blade icing, which seriously affects their aerodynamic characteristics and safety performance. Coatings are one of the effective solutions to the icing problem on wind turbine blades. In this study, MoS2/ZnO/PDMS superhydrophobic nano-anti-icing coatings were prepared using the hydrothermal method and the liquid phase method. SEM revealed that the MoS2/ZnO coating was a typical superhydrophobic nanostructure with an ultra-thin sheet-like morphology of clusters and a hilly nano-rough structure, with contact angles (CA) of 152.1° and 4.7° with water droplets and the sliding angle (SA), respectively. The MoS2/ZnO/PDMS coating had an adhesion strength to ice of 78 kPa, which was 60.2% lower than an uncoated surface. The icing effects of the NACA0018 airfoil blade model with or without MoS2/ZnO coatings were studied at different ambient temperatures and wind speeds using the icing wind tunnel test. The results showed that, compared to uncoated blades, the level of icing was lower on the blade airfoil surface that was coated with MoS2/ZnO. At 10 m/s and −10 °C, the icing thickness and icing area of the leading edge of the blade airfoil were 13.7% and 28.3% lower, respectively. This study provides a valuable reference for the development of anti-icing coatings for wind turbine blades.

A Review of Wind Turbine Icing and Anti/De-Icing Technologies

“…The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of a porous superhydrophobic PVDF coating is shown in Figure 34 [104]. A superhydrophobic nano anti-icing coating of MoS2/ZnO/PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) was prepared by hydrothermal method and liquid phase method [105]. This material has ultra-thin sheet cluster morphology and hilly nano-rough structure, and the CA and SA with water droplets are 152.1° and 4.7°, respectively.…”

“…Thermal coating mainly uses the photothermal or electrothermal of the coating to heat the icing on the surface until melts. Liu et al [106] proposed a robust amphibious coating system consisting of Fluorinated Multi-Wall Carbon Nano Tubes (FMWCNT) and commercial polyurethane, including a photothermal layer (P), a thermal conductive layer (C) and a A superhydrophobic nano anti-icing coating of MoS 2 /ZnO/PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) was prepared by hydrothermal method and liquid phase method [105]. This material has ultra-thin sheet cluster morphology and hilly nano-rough structure, and the CA and SA with water droplets are 152.1 • and 4.7 • , respectively.…”

Profiling the Morphology Effects of MoS2 Nanomaterials on Ice Suppression and Rapid Rewarming for Cryopreservation

“…Feng et al reported that a MoS 2 /ZnO/PDMS superhydrophobic nanoanti-icing coating could effectively inhibit the icing of wind turbine blades. The rough porous surface could be in contact with the liquid to form an air cushion, reducing the adhesion between the ice and the surface coating, thereby effectively inhibiting icing . Furthermore, the morphology of MoS 2 nanomaterials is notably diverse, including nanoflowers (FLs), nanowires, nanorods, microspheres, and nanosheets. , Due to the different surface properties of these morphologies, there are differences in their ice control and photothermal performance.…”