A novel hybrid anti-icing surface combining an aqueous self-lubricating coating and phase-change materials

The ability of phase change materials (PCMs) to absorb and release large amounts of latent heat has led to great interest in their use in anti-icing applications. Combining PCMs and other passive icephobic strategies such as self-lubricating coatings could enhance anti-icing performance. Here, an icephobic coating is fabricated by impregnating an elastomeric matrix containing PEG-PDMS copolymers with PCM microcapsules. First, a selected mixture of n-dodecane and n-tetradecane is encapsulated within urea–formaldehyde shells using in-situ polymerization. Various concentrations of microcapsules are then added into the self-lubricated PDMS coating and 2.5 wt% of hydroxyl-terminated PEG-PDMS copolymer. Differential scanning calorimetry confirms that the PCM-embedded coating has colder ice nucleation temperatures than the self-lubricating coatings lacking microcapsules. The release of latent heat by the PCMs likely preserves the liquid-like layer for a more extended time and delays ice nucleation. The presence of PCM microcapsules can positively affect self-lubricating characteristics of the matrix containing the PEG-PDMS copolymer to further reducing ice adhesion. The presence of a liquid-like layer lowers ice adhesion strength and decreases ice accumulation on surfaces. These particular properties are further enhanced by the incorporated PCM microcapsules and their ability to release latent heat. Finally, the durability of the fabricated coatings is confirmed after multiple icing/de-icing cycles. Such PCM-impregnated coatings therefore offer potential uses for diverse icephobic applications.