Bioinspired Tough Organohydrogel Dynamic Interfaces Enabled Subzero Temperature Antifrosting, Deicing, and Antiadhesion

Abstract

Icing of water (moisture) at subzero temperatures with different length scales is harmful to a variety of applications spanning from large-scale aircraft to small camera lens. Existing strategies relying on controlling the surface structure and material are encumbered with shortcomings of short frost delay time, poor durability, and difficulty in large-scale production. Inspired from the mucus secretion of mollusks, we introduce organohydrogel dynamic interfaces that can perform dynamic and reversible exchange of the cryoprotectant and water at the interface, resulting in exceptional antifrosting, antiadhesion, and deicing properties with long-term durability. The replenishable coating shows superlubrication to the surface ice with a sliding angle up to 1.9 ± 0.4o and a frost delay time up to 970 ± 31 min in the presence of water spray (99% relative humidity) at subzero temperatures. The strategy offers a reliable and scalable solution to prevent engineering surfaces, i.e., aircraft, pavement, bridge, and other public facilities, from icing/frosting and ice adhesion, even under extreme cold environments.

Flexible Wide-Temperature Zinc-Ion Battery Enabled by an Ethylene Glycol-Based Organohydrogel Electrolyte

“…It not only provides channels for ion migration between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery but also determines ion conductivity, electrochemical stability window, and the reversibility of the zinc plating/ stripping process. 7−10 Compared to liquid electrolytes, a gel electrolyte is very attractive for flexible energy storage devices because of the following advantages: (i) a gel electrolyte can avoid the leakage of liquid electrolytes; 9 (ii) a gel electrolyte itself can act as a separator, simplifying the assembly process of zinc-ion batteries; (iii) the viscous surface of the gel electrolyte could enhance the interfacial compatibility with electrodes and ensure stable electrochemical performances; 11 (iv) a gel electrolyte might alleviate the growth of zinc dendrites; 12 and (v) gel electrolytes with smart responsiveness, self-healing nature, and stretchability could give devices more innovative functions. 13−15 Currently, the gel electrolytes for zinc-ion batteries are mostly based on hydrogel electrolytes (HEs).…”

“…Compared to liquid electrolytes, a gel electrolyte is very attractive for flexible energy storage devices because of the following advantages: (i) a gel electrolyte can avoid the leakage of liquid electrolytes; (ii) a gel electrolyte itself can act as a separator, simplifying the assembly process of zinc-ion batteries; (iii) the viscous surface of the gel electrolyte could enhance the interfacial compatibility with electrodes and ensure stable electrochemical performances; (iv) a gel electrolyte might alleviate the growth of zinc dendrites; and (v) gel electrolytes with smart responsiveness, self-healing nature, and stretchability could give devices more innovative functions. − …”

Recent advances in bioinspired superhydrophobic ice-proof surfaces: challenges and prospects

“…Chen et al 175 were inspired by mollusk mucus secretion and introduced a dynamic interface of an organic hydrogel. This surface could undergo reversible conversion of water and lubricants at low temperatures, resulting in special anti-frost, anti-stick and deicing properties with long-term durability.…”

Material Strategies for Ice Accretion Prevention and Easy Removal

“…The organohydrogels were prepared by filling numerous hydrogels with cryoprotectants like glycerol and ethylene, and ice can be melted and slid off the organohydrogels surface via the aqueous lubricant layer formed by cryoprotectants. 122 The anti-icing hydrogel materials give more opportunities and possibilities for high-performance icephobic coating if its mechanical strength meets to the actual demand.…”