Superhydrophobic photothermal icephobic surfaces based on candle soot

Significance Here cheap candle soot is utilized to make superhydrophobic photothermal icephobic surfaces. The candle soot provides the hierarchical structure for superhydrophobicity; meanwhile, sunlight can be trapped in the hierarchical structure to enhance the light absorption leading to a high photothermal efficiency. The superhydrophobicity can help maintain the excellent photothermal performance. Firstly, the superhydrophobic candle soot surface can remove the melted water immediately leaving a dry surface, which avoids the reflectance and thermal mass of melted water and thus reduces the heat loss. Secondly, the surface is capable of self-cleaning; dust and other contaminants can be washed away by rain or melted water to prevent the blocking and scattering of sunlight, highly benefiting the maintaining of long-term high photothermal efficiency.