Highly Durable Slips with Temperature-Responsive Switching for Efficient Anti-/Deicing

Abstract

Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS) are promising candidates for anti-/deicing applications due to their delayed icing, low ice adhesion, and self-healing feature. However, current methods are limited by issues such as uncontrollable lubricant loss and microstructural damage, which hinder widespread adoption. In this study, we have developed a highly durable SLIPS featuring a microcone composite micropillar array structure (MCMA) using femtosecond laser direct writing technology and smart thermal-responsive polymer soft transfer method. The MCMA can switch its surface ice-repellent properties based on temperature conditions through the repeated secretion and absorption of lubricant. Impressively, it also demonstrates external self-replenishment of lubricant capabilities, thereby restoring ice repellency even when the lubricant fluid is depleted. Furthermore, thanks to its unique composite micro-nano-array structure and temperature-responsive switching, the MCMA achieves a desired static icing delay time of ~ 1033 s, and low ice adhesion strength of just ~ 2.51 kPa. Additionally, the MCMA shows high reusability and mechanical/chemical durability, maintaining an ice adhesion strength of less than 20 kPa after 50 deicing cycles, after multiple mechanical and chemical durability tests. This work provides practical insights for developing high-durability, versatile, and effective anti-icing and deicing solutions to address SLIPS challenges.

Keywords: slippery liquid-infused porous surface, Femtosecond laser direct writing, temperature responsiveness, anti-/deicing, excellent durability