Flexible and scalable photothermal/electro thermal anti-icing/de-icing metamaterials for effective large-scale preparation
Tonghui Lu,
Xianglin Li,
Mengying Lu,
Wenhao Lv,
Wenzhuo Liu,
Xuanchen Dong,
Zhe Liu,
Shangzhen Xie,
Song Lv
Affiliations
Tonghui Lu
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
Xianglin Li
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
Mengying Lu
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
Wenhao Lv
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
Wenzhuo Liu
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
Xuanchen Dong
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
Zhe Liu
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
Shangzhen Xie
School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Song Lv
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China; Corresponding author
Summary: Anti-icing and de-icing are vital for infrastructure maintenance. While carbon-based materials with photothermal or electrothermal effects have advanced, they face challenges like environmental dependence, poor resistance, high energy consumption, and complex manufacturing. Here, we developed a scalable, hybrid metamaterial driven by photothermal/electrothermal for all-weather anti-icing/de-icing. Its nanostructured surface delays icing by 360 s at −30°C, breaking records across a wide temperature range. The porous structure enhances light absorption, achieving a delayed icing time of 2500 s at −20°C under one sunlight. The graphene film’s high conductivity allows rapid de-icing with 1.6W power. After 720 h of outdoor exposure, the metamaterial retained a contact angle above 150°, confirming durability. More critically, we have demonstrated that the metamaterial can be manufactured on a large scale, which is essential for improving the economics of the anti-icing/de-icing sector.
