Designing liquid repellent, icephobic and self-cleaning surfaces with high mechanical and chemical durability

Abstract

Liquid repellent, icephobic and self-cleaning surfaces are of interest in industrial applications, including solar panels, self-cleaning windows, wind turbines, and automotive and aerospace components. In this study, a coating using a simple and scalable fabrication technique was used to produce superliquiphobic surfaces with a low tilt angle. The coating comprises hydrophobic SiO₂ nanoparticles with a binder of methylphenyl silicone resin to achieve superhydrophobicity. After ultraviolet–ozone treatment of the coating, an additional coating of fluorosilane was deposited to achieve superliquiphobicity with low tilt angle. Data for these coatings are presented showing the ability to repel water and oil, anti-icing properties down to −60°C, self-cleaning, and the ability to maintain superliquiphobicity in hot environments up to about 95°C, after soaking in deionized water for more than 200 h at room temperature and for about 50 h at 50°C and 70°C, and in chemical environments with low pH values. The coatings were found to be mechanically durable. Detailed characterization for anti-icing provides an insight into the mechanisms of icephobicity. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bioinspired materials and surfaces for green science and technology’.