Design and Icephobic Mechanism of Ni Scaffold Promoted Durable PDMS Coating Modified with Si Oil and SiC Fibre

The icing phenomenon on the surfaces of critical infrastructure, such as transportation systems, power lines, and aircraft, presents significant challenges that may lead to catastrophic damage and severe economic consequences. Ice accumulation on these surfaces not only contributes substantial weight but may also lead to mechanical failures, disrupt operations, and escalate maintenance costs. Therefore, the development of effective strategies for preventing or mitigating ice formation is crucial in preserving the functionality and longevity of engineering components that are exposed to cold and icing environments. Pre-preparation of anti-icing functional surfaces with good icephobicity on engineering components can effectively reduce the likelihood of ice formation and facilitating easier ice removal. To tackle this challenge, the present study proposes a novel design concept for icephobic surfaces, leveraging the use of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a polymer matrix, which is modified by the synergistic effects of silicone (Si) oil and silicon carbide (SiC) fibre, in conjunction with the introduction of nickel (Ni) scaffold. The interconnected network structure could enhance the overall mechanical stability and ensure long-term anti-icing/de-icing efficacy. The experimental results indicate that the incorporation of Si oil and SiC fibre significantly enhances both the anti-icing performance and de-icing capability of the as-prepared samples. Notably, the icing delay effect is observed to increase from 62 s for Ni/PDMS to 124 s for NP-SO-SiC. This significant improvement can be attributed to the increased nucleation energy barrier at the surface, which effectively delays the onset of ice formation. Specifically, the presence of Si oil effectively reduces the surface free energy while decreasing the number of heterogeneous nucleation sites, thereby inhibiting the formation of ice crystal. Additionally, the static water contact angle (WCA) is measured to be as high as 126.4°, indicating a highly hydrophobic surface and further suppressing the spreading of droplets. This is crucial not only for minimizing the initial ice formation but also for diminishing the efficiency of heat exchange at the interface, further preventing ice accumulation. Further validations through the changes in ice adhesion strength and maintenance of sample weight ratio demonstrate an obvious enhancement in mechanical strength and wear resistance for NP-SO-SiC. After undergoing 30 cyclic icing/de-icing tests, NP-SO-SiC demonstrates a significant enhancement in both mechanical strength and wear resistance. The ice adhesion strength consistently remains low, approximately 26 kPa, while the WCA retains its high initial value, indicating the stability of the icephobicity over extended exposure to freezing and thawing conditions. Additionally, only minimal changes in the sample's weight ratio are observed, further demonstrating the durability. The proposed design, incorporating PDMS, Si oil, SiC fibre, and Ni scaffold, offers a highly effective and durable solution to the challenge of ice accumulation on critical infrastructure surfaces. The combination of SiC fibre with Ni scaffolds effectively resists mechanical damages caused by ice crystals during the freezing processes, preventing cracks and defects on the coating surface while preserving both morphology and icephobicity stability. This approach not only addresses the immediate challenge of ice formation but also provides a long-term and practical solution to the difficulties associated with maintaining icephobic surfaces under repeated cyclic icing and de-icing conditions. Consequently, it represents a significant innovation for a diverse array of engineering applications.