Robust photo/electrothermal synergistically all-weather anti/de-icing superhydrophobic composite coating based on modified graphene

Anti-icing/de-icing coatings on equipment surfaces are becoming an important protective measure against frost formation and buildup, especially when they are used in very harsh environments. Herein, perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS) has been grafted onto the surface of graphene (GPE) via hydrolysis in an alkaline condition. The FAS modified graphene (F-GPE) is hydrophobic and conductive. A photothermal and electrothermal superhydrophobic coating is obtained by mixing F-GPE into epoxy resin as a filler for anti/de-icing in cold condition. The coating has a fast electrothermal response speed and rapidly changes the surface temperature of the coating covered with ice and snow from −20 °C to 3.7 °C within 30 s under the safe voltage of 10–15 V. Even under frost conditions, the coating with ice layers could be restored through the synergy of light and electric-to-heat conversion. The ice layer is initially melt in about 90 s, and the ice-waterdrop mixture can be easily removed on the superhydrophobic F-GPE coating. In addition, the coating shows superior mechanical strength. These remarkable properties make it valuable for application and more possibilities in the all-weather anti-icing and de-icing field.