Photothermal Anti-icing Coatings Composed of Spherical Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Modified Particles: Synergistic High-Efficiency Deicing and Superior Thermal Conductivity

The accumulation of ice on exposed surfaces in freezing conditions creates substantial operational difficulties for critical infrastructure across aviation, energy networks, and transportation systems, elevating risks of dangerous situations. This study focuses on the development of a photothermal superhydrophobic anti-icing coating with enhanced thermal conductivity, low cost, and simple fabrication. The coating combines passive anti-icing properties with active deicing capabilities, utilizing carboxylated MWCNTs modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane (FDTS) to form micron particles (CMPs). These CMPs, along with hydrophobic silica nanoparticles (Silica NPs), create a micronano hierarchical structure that traps air, stabilizing the Cassie–Baxter contact mode and improving hydrophobicity. Silica NPs/CMPs 1–2 coating exhibits a water contact angle (WCA) of 158° and a low roll-off angle (RA) of 4.1°, significantly delaying droplet freezing time from 96 s on bare aluminum to 634 s and reducing ice adhesion strength to 38.5 kPa at −15 °C. Under simulated solar irradiation, the coating demonstrates excellent photothermal performance, with a temperature rise from 25 to 75 °C in 240 s, and can melt ice within 23 s. The normal thermal conductivity reaches 1.92 W/(m·K), enhancing heat transfer efficiency. With its low cost and high performance, this coating shows great potential for anti-icing applications in large-scale infrastructure, such as power and railway transmission lines.