Adaptable, Dynamic, and Superhydrophobic Standing-Fiber Surface with Muti-Level Energy Barrier for Anti-Icing

Abstract

Passive deicing technologies achieved by dynamic superhydrophobic surfaces and slippery substances contribute to widely used anti-icing. However, the constant status of microstructures cannot cater to the changing environment, meanwhile, the energy barrier needs to be improved. Here, a dynamic superhydrophobic standing-fiber surface with a three-level energy barrier is fabricated by electrical flocking technology, which directly utilizes the wind field to assist anti-icing. The standing-fiber surface has low ice adhesion of 2.7 kPa, a high water contact angle of 171.1°, and a long icing delay time of 859 s under −30 °C. The superhydrophobicity contributes to excellent water repellency with a droplet retracting and bouncing distance of 3.53 and 3.75 mm. In the wind field at 9 ms⁻¹, the inclined standing-fiber surface theoretically accelerates the motion of the water droplet by 1.5 times compared with the lying-fiber surface. The difference in thermal conductivity between the front and back sides of the standing-fiber surface makes it an ideal candidate for designing anti-icing, deicing, and thermal insulation clothes.