In-depth analysis of the effect of physicochemical properties of ionic liquids on anti-icing behavior of silicon based-coatings

Thermomechanically Resilient Polyionic Elastomers with Enhanced Anti-Icing Performances

“…As the IL content increases, the initial melting temperature of IL/water mixture solutions gradually decreases to −40 °C, showing favorable inhibition of ice formation. The IL restricts the migration and rearrangement of water molecules, requiring more energy for ice nucleation. , To demonstrate the anti-icing properties, the freezing delay time of the PIE-40 surface is revealed in comparison with that of the glass surface (Figure b). At −10 °C, the water droplet on the glass surface starts to freeze within 1 s and is completely frozen within 30 s. In contrast, the water droplet on the PIE-40 surface remains unfrozen for over 5400 s at −10 °C, which is more than 180 times longer than that on the glass surface.…”

“…Additionally, at −20 °C, the water droplet on the PIE-40 surface remains in a nonfrozen state for more than 300 s, indicating anti-icing properties for macroscale droplets. This prolonged delay time is attributed to the diffusion of the IL into the water droplet, effectively lowering the freezing temperature at the interface. , Figure c presents the antifrost performance of PIE-40 at −10 °C and 65% relative humidity (RH). The frost rapidly covered all of the glass and aluminum surfaces within 5 min, while the surface of PIE-40 is transparent after 1 h without frost and not completely covered by the frost after 3.5 h. Particularly, the accumulation of a liquid layer on the PIE-40 surface was observed at 3.5 h, owing to water condensation from the air.…”

“…The frost rapidly covered all of the glass and aluminum surfaces within 5 min, while the surface of PIE-40 is transparent after 1 h without frost and not completely covered by the frost after 3.5 h. Particularly, the accumulation of a liquid layer on the PIE-40 surface was observed at 3.5 h, owing to water condensation from the air. Furthermore, the ILs from the PIE can interact with water molecules, significantly increasing the energy required for ice nucleation, as shown in Figure d. , As a result, even if water condenses on the surface, the PIE surface forms a liquid water/IL mixture layer rather than a frost. In comparison, frost formation on aluminum or glass surfaces is rapid involving the condensation of water, nucleation sites formation from edges and defects of the surfaces, and the accelerated growth of frost crystals …”

“…The IL restricts the migration and rearrangement of water molecules, requiring more energy for ice nucleation. 27,29 To demonstrate the anti-icing properties, the freezing delay time of the PIE-40 surface is revealed in comparison with that of the glass surface (Figure 3b). At −10 °C, the water droplet on the glass surface starts to freeze within 1 s and is completely frozen within 30 s. In contrast, the water droplet on the PIE-40 surface remains unfrozen for over 5400 s at −10 °C, which is Furthermore, the ILs from the PIE can interact with water molecules, significantly increasing the energy required for ice nucleation, as shown in Figure 3d.…”

“…The emerging ice-responsive anti-icing surfaces with the ability to break ice crystals are a promising way to avoid ice formation and accretion, such as organic chemical-infused surfaces, materials based on antifreezing proteins, hydrated anti-icing surfaces, and ionic anti-icing surfaces. ,, Due to the interaction between ice and ice-responsive components (e.g., antifreezing inorganic/organic ions, small organic molecules, or antifreezing proteins), an antifreezing liquid layer appears on the surface when water/ice contacts the anti-icing surface at low temperatures. − As a result, these ice-responsive surfaces have the potential ability to inhibit ice formation and lower ice adhesion simultaneously. , The hydrated surfaces prevent ice formation and accretion based on breaking the H-bonds from ice, in which antifreezing chemicals (e.g., ethanol and ethylene glycol) are incorporated into the materials. , For the ionic anti-icing surfaces, inorganic salts or organic ionic liquid/groups are incorporated into polymers to obtain anti-icing materials, such as ion-infused materials and ion-grafted polyionic materials. ,− In contrast to anti-icing surfaces with free ions (NaCl, ionic liquid), polyionic materials avoid the depletion of free ions during the deicing process, enhancing anti-icing durability. A prevalent strategy for fabricating polyionic materials involves grafting hydrophilic ionic groups onto elastic polydimethyl­siloxane (PDMS), facilitating the precise manipulation of ice nucleation and adhesion processes. ,, However, the mechanical properties of these gel-like or soft elastic (ca.…”