Study: Robust Anti-Icing Surfaces Based on Dual Functionality─Microstructurally-Induced Ice Shedding with Superimposed Nanostructurally-Enhanced Water Shedding. Image Credit: ValerieVSBN/Shutterstock.com
In recent years, much effort has been devoted to creating surfaces that passively hinder the accumulation of surface ice. These anti-icing tactics addressed in the literature may be divided roughly into those that attempt to stop ice production and those that aim to reduce the bonding strength of ice .
Challenges Associated with Current Anti-icing Technologies Numerous studies have investigated using flat nano surfaces with low-energy coverings to minimize ice adhesion by lowering thermal adhesion and reducing interlocking influences. However, there seems to be a lower bound ice adhesion strength of roughly 150 kPa for nano surfaces created in this fashion, far more than the 20 kPa barrier for the passive elimination of ice.
However, creating a surface that incorporates both the avoidance of ice formation and the decrease of ice bonding strength with minimal continuous energy contributions has proven to be a difficult issue. Inspired by the anti-icing properties of penguin feathers, the current study examines the innovative combination of separate water-shedding and ice-shedding design methodologies to create a sustainable, durable nano surface with passive anti-icing functionalization. The research also describes the importance of nano grooves in boosting the anti-icing performance of the as-prepared nano surfaces.