Magnetically responsive lubricant-infused porous surfaces with controllable lubricity and durable anti-icing performance

Using porous glucose template, magnetically responsive lubricant-infused surfaces (LISs) were prepared in this work. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) encapsulating carbonyl iron particles provided a soft porous framework, which was infused with inert dimethyl silicone oil as a lubricant. In the absence of a magnetic field, the silicone oil was stored inside the holes of the LISs. Under the influence of a magnetic field, the movement of magnetic particles drove the PDMS to shrink and deform, which resulted in the silicone oil being extruded to the sample surface to form a lubricating layer. The lubricity and anti-icing performances of the LISs with different magnetic particle contents were compared. When the mass ratio between the PDMS and magnetic particles was 1:1, the LIS exhibited the best water repellent ability and the lowest ice adhesion strength of 16 kPa in a magnetic field. Furthermore, after 30 cycles of icing/deicing tests, the ice adhesion strength of this LIS still remained at 16 kPa in the magnetic field, indicating good anti-icing durability. The controllable lubricity effectively avoided the rapid loss of silicone oil and improved the service life of the LISs.

Automated summary

Magnetically responsive lubricant-infused surfaces (LISs) were prepared using a porous glucose template, where a soft porous framework encapsulating carbonyl iron particles was infused with dimethyl silicone oil. In the presence of a magnetic field, the movement of magnetic particles drove the release of silicone oil to the sample surface, resulting in improved water repellent ability and low ice adhesion strength. The controllable lubricity of the LISs effectively avoided rapid loss of silicone oil and improved their service life.