Investigate on structure for transparent anti-icing surfaces

Abstract

The ice-phobic and transparent surface based on the distinctive structure of a coating material has been investigated. Moth eye structure fabricated on the quartz substrate was covered with a flat paraffin layer to isolate it in a cold and humid environment. Paraffin wax was chosen as the coating material due to low thermal conductivity, easy coating, and original water repellency. The paraffin layer only stayed on the top of the nanostructure, separated it from the outside environment to obstruct heat energy being transferred to the cold substrate, and prevented the wetting transition, which was observed regularly on the rough surface. The uncountable number of air blocks trapped inside the nanostructure also contributed to delayed heat transfer, leading to an increase in the freezing time of the attached water droplet. The anti-icing performance was evaluated in terms of adhesion strength, freezing time, and freezing rain sustainability. The nanostructure coated sample was compared with barely coated and superhydrophobic nanostructure surface and demonstrated a preeminent performance.