Expanding Transparent Covalently Attached Liquid-Like Surfaces for Icephobic Coatings with Broad Substrate Compatibility

Author(s): Amirhossein Jalali Kandeloos, Tanja Eder, Daniel Hetey, Alexander Bismarck, Michael R. Reithofer, Megan J. Cordill, Jia Min Chin
Abstract: Ice accretion causes significant energy losses and safety risks across various sectors. Recent research shows that liquid-like surfaces (LLS) with ice-shedding properties can be created by covalently attaching linear polymer chains onto smooth substrates with sufficient hydroxyl group densities. To expand the substrate scope for LLS, a novel system using non-halogenated organosilanes attached to a commercial epoxy-silicon (EpSi) coating is proposed. The EpSi layer, easily applied using simple methods, serves as a smooth intermediate layer (R_a = 0.94 nm and R_q = 0.76 nm). Air plasma activation increases hydroxyl density on EpSi, enabling LLS formation via simple immersion in an organosilane solution. The resulting coating exhibits low contact angle hysteresis (<10°), sliding angle (SA < 14°), and ice adhesion strength (τ_ice < 20 kPa). Effective LLS is generated regardless of substrate type, coating thickness, or application method. The coating retains its slippery properties after exposure to harsh conditions, including icing/deicing cycles, organic solvents, and acidic environment. It is also highly transparent (T_ave = 84.5%, t = 500 µm) with self-cleaning and anti-staining capabilities. This methodology broadens the substrate scope of LLS, offering a sustainable solution to ice accretion challenges.
Organisation(s): Department of Functional Materials and Catalysis, Department of Materials Chemistry, Department of Inorganic Chemistry
External organisation(s): Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW)
Journal: Advanced Materials Interfaces
ISSN: 2196-7350
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400808
Publication date: 2025
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 205004 Functional materials
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/60482117-9e84-4989-8cd4-9b853b6e020a