Formation of Icephobic Surface with Micron-Scaled Hydrophobic Heterogeneity on Polyurethane Aerospace Coating

Abstract

Development of an anti-icing surface on a desired industrial coating patch/object has been the persistent challenge to several industries, such as aviation and wind power. For this aim, performing surface modification to implement the icephobic property on existing commercial coatings is important for practical applications. This work accomplishes an icephobic coating overlying a PPG aerospace polyurethane coating. It manifests a clear capability to delay the formation of frost as well as to reduce the adhesion strength of ice. This icephobic coating is sustained by a unique hydrophobic heterogeneity in the micron-scale of segregation, which is realized through solution casting of a specific copolymer consisting of random rigid and soft segments, namely poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(lauryl methacrylate-2-hydroxy-3-(1-amino dodecyl)propyl methacrylate), respectively. A wrinkled pattern developed over the coating is observed because of the diverse traits between these two segments. Besides, the OH/NH groups of the soft segment are crosslinked by a diisocyanate monomer upon drying and curing to strengthen the coating. More importantly, integration of a small dose of paraffin wax into the copolymer induces a spread of soft microdomains on the winkled pattern surface. It is hypothesized that these dual heterogeneous assemblies are responsible for the icephobicity since they instigate distinct interactions with condensed water droplets. Lastly, the thermoelectric cooling (Peltier effect) and the adhesion strength of ice on the typical coatings were assessed. This investigation also includes examination on the icephobic durability of coating, which is enhanced when a small amount of polyethylene oligomer is incorporated into the coating.

Engineered Nanomaterials for Aviation Industry in COVID-19 Context: A Time-Sensitive Review

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A highly controlled fabrication of porous anodic aluminium oxide surface with versatile features by spatial thermo-anodization

“…One of the essential criteria for a coating technology to be used in aerospace engineering, is the surface icephobicity [36][37][38][39][40]. Alongside with the recent anti-icing perspectives by using heated surface [41], textured surfaces [42][43][44][45], latest approach of liquid infused surface present a low cost and programmable strategy to distinguish itself from above [46][47][48].…”

Designing Self-Sustainable Icephobic Layer by Introducing a Lubricating Un-Freezable Water Hydrogel from Sodium Polyacrylate on the Polyolefin Surface

“…Different from normal snow melting agents, strategies with novel materials, such as saline water, ethylene glycol, formamide, and water−glycerine, as an aqueous lubricating layer for anti-icing turned into view again. A new type of aqueous lubricating layer made from magnetic liquid [ 24 ], ferromagnetic liquid, antifreeze proteins [ 25 ], dopamine-modified hyaluronic acid [ 26 ], polyelectrolytes [ 27 ], polypeptide or hygroscopic polymers came into reality and showed excellent icephobic performance of ultra-low ice-adhesion strength as well as sustainable, self-healing, durable and environment-friendly advantages. Due to its water swelling, lower freezing point, fluidity, and no pollution, the hydrogel was potential for producing the water lubricating layer for shedding ice.…”