A New Composite Material with Energy Storage, Electro/Photo-Thermal and Robust Super-Hydrophobic Properties for High-Efficiency Anti-Icing/De-Icing.

All weather, high-efficiency, energy-saving anti-icing/de-icing materials are of great importance for solving the problem of ice accumulation on outdoor equipment surfaces. In this study, a composite material with energy storage, active electro-/photo-thermal de-icing and passive super-hydrophobic anti-icing properties is proposed. Fluorinated epoxy resin and MWCNTs/PTFE particles are used to prepare the top multifunctional anti-icing/de-icing layer, which exhibited super-hydrophobicity with water contact angle greater than 155° and conductivity higher than 69 S m. The super-hydrophobic durability of the top layer is verified through tape peeling and sandpaper abrasion tests. The surface can be heated by applying on voltage or light illumination, showing efficient electro-/photo-thermal and all-day anti-icing/de-icing performance. The oleogel material at the bottom layer is capable to absorb energy during heating process and release it during cooling process by phase transition, which greatly delayed the freezing time and saved energy. The icing test of single ice droplet, electro-/photo-thermal de-icing and defrosting tests also proved the high efficiency and energy saving of the anti-icing/de-icing strategy. This study provided a new way to manufacture multi-functional materials for practical anti-icing/de-icing applications.