Highly Efficient Photothermal Icephobic/de‐Icing MOF‐Based Micro and Nanostructured Surface

Abstract

Abstract Photothermal materials have gained considerable attention in the field of anti‐/de‐icing due to its environmental friendliness and energy saving. However, it is always significantly challenging to obtain solar thermal materials with hierarchical structure and simultaneously demonstrate both the ultra‐long icing delay ability and the superior photothermal de‐icing ability. Here, a photothermal icephobic MOF‐based micro and nanostructure surface (MOF‐MNS) is presented, which consists of micron groove structure and fluorinated MOF nanowhiskers. The optimal MOF‐M250NS can achieve solar absorption of over 98% and produce a high temperature increment of 65.5 °C under 1‐sun illumination. Such superior photothermal‐conversion mechanism of MOF‐M250NS is elucidated in depth. In addition, the MOF‐M250NS generates an ultra‐long icing delay time of ≈3960 s at −18 °C without solar illumination, achieving the longest delay time, which isn't reported before. Due to its excellent solar‐to‐heat conversation ability, accumulated ice and frost on MOF‐M250NS can be rapidly melted within 720 s under 1‐sun illumination and it also holds a high de‐icing rate of 5.8 kg m−2 h−1. MOF‐M250NS possesses the versatility of mechanical robustness, chemical stability, and low temperature self‐cleaning, which can synergistically reinforce the usage of icephobic surfaces in harsh conditions.

Keywords

• de‐icing
• icing delay
• micro‐ and nanostructure
• MOF
• photothermal‐conversion mechanism