Functionalized superhydrophobic MWCNT/PEI nanocomposite film with anti-icing and photo-/electrothermal deicing properties

Ice accumulation often threatens the safety of human life and property. How to effectively solve the problem of solid surface icing has been the research work of many researchers. However, how to prepare superhydrophobic and anti-icing film with multi-strategy collaborative deicing is still facing great challenges. In this paper, a design strategy of photothermal and electrothermal superhydrophobic nanocomposite film based on polyetherimide (PEI) was proposed. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were dispersed in PEI matrix by solution blending method, and a lotus leaf like rectangular micropillar array was constructed on the surface of the film by laser etching technology. Then, the surface was fluorinated to further reduce the surface energy. Finally, a kind of MWCNT/PEI nanocomposite film with passive anti-icing and active deicing with photothermal and electrothermal collaboration was successfully prepared. The freezing time of droplets on MWCNT/PEI nanocomposite film is about 6.7 times longer than that of pure PEI film. This film exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity (CA = 156.6 degrees), while also having excellent photothermal and electrothermal conversion properties. In addition, we also conducted various tests on MWCNT/PEI nanocomposite film to verify its reliability in the actual application environment. The MWCNT/PEI nanocomposite film with the function of anti-icing and photothermal and electrothermal active deicing is expected to solve the problem of solid surface icing in daily life, and also provides a new idea for the development of a new generation of anti-icing/deicing film.

Automated summary

A design strategy of photothermal and electrothermal superhydrophobic nanocomposite film based on PEI was proposed. The prepared MWCNT/PEI nanocomposite film exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity and photothermal and electrothermal conversion properties.