Electrothermal superhydrophobic epoxy nanocomposite coating for anti-icing/deicing

Abstract

Wind power, as a new type of green energy, can be converted into electric energy through wind turbines. However, the extremely cold and harsh weather makes the blade surface easy to freeze, which seriously affects the capacity of wind power. In this study, a bilayer epoxy-based nanocomposite coating that consists of an electrothermal and superhydrophobic layer has been developed for anti-icing/deicing. The electrothermal layer consists of epoxy/silver-coated copper (Ag–Cu) and epoxy/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites. Epoxy/Ag–Cu coating showed high electrical conductivity, which can quickly generate heat under voltage. Epoxy/MWCNTs coating exhibited high thermal conductivity, which conducts heat to the whole surface. The superhydrophobic layer was fabricated by epoxy/SiO₂/hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) nanocomposite, which covered the top of electrothermal layer. The designed bilayer epoxy nanocomposite coating displayed electrical power consumption (0.2 W), super hydrophobicity (static and dynamic water contact angle of 156.3° and 3°, respectively), low ice adhesion (0.01 MPa), long icing time (312 s), short deicing time (41 s), and good wear, acid, alkali, and salt resistance, making it promising for industrial application on wind turbine blades.