Durable Anti-Icing Coatings Based on Self-Sustainable Lubricating Layer

Abstract

A versatile, convenient, and cost-effective method that can be used for grafting anti-icing materials onto different surfaces is highly desirable. Based on mussel-inspired chemistry, the anti-icing coating with extremely low ice adhesion is enabled by constructing a self-sustainable lubricating layer, achieved via modifying solid substrates with a highly hydrophilic conjugate of poly(acrylic acid)-dopamine. Both unfreezable and freezable water remain liquidlike at subzero conditions and synergistically fulfill the role of lubrication for reducing the ice adhesion. The anti-icing coatings show excellent stability in harsh environments and durability after the cross-linking. More importantly, this coating can be applied to various substrates and is of great promise for practical applications.