Highly Efficient Photothermal Icephobic/de-Icing MOF-Based Micro and Nanostructured Surface

Abstract

Photothermal materials have gained considerable attention in the field of anti-/de-icing due to its environmental friendliness and energy saving. However, it is always significantly challenging to obtain solar thermal materials with hierarchical structure and simultaneously demonstrate both the ultra-long icing delay ability and the superior photothermal de-icing ability. Here, a photothermal icephobic MOF-based micro and nanostructure surface (MOF-MNS) is presented, which consists of micron groove structure and fluorinated MOF nanowhiskers. The optimal MOF-M250NS can achieve solar absorption of over 98% and produce a high temperature increment of 65.5 °C under 1-sun illumination. Such superior photothermal-conversion mechanism of MOF-M250NS is elucidated in depth. In addition, the MOF-M250NS generates an ultra-long icing delay time of ≈3960 s at −18 °C without solar illumination, achieving the longest delay time, which isn't reported before. Due to its excellent solar-to-heat conversation ability, accumulated ice and frost on MOF-M250NS can be rapidly melted within 720 s under 1-sun illumination and it also holds a high de-icing rate of 5.8 kg m−2 h−1. MOF-M250NS possesses the versatility of mechanical robustness, chemical stability, and low temperature self-cleaning, which can synergistically reinforce the usage of icephobic surfaces in harsh conditions.