Preparation of a superhydrophobic coating based on polysiloxane modified SiO2 and study on its anti-icing performance

An anti-icing surface with superhydrophobic properties was designed by combining poly(methyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropyl siloxane) (PMTFPS) modified silica with a low surface free energy fluorine-silicone resin. The hydrophobic silica particles were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XPS. The hydrophobicity, wettability and wear resistance of the resulting coating were analyzed. The anti-icing and de-icing properties of the coatings were also characterized in terms of complete icing time and ice adhesion strength. The obtained SiO2-PMTFPS coating achieved a contact angle of 158.5 degrees and a roll-off angle of 1 degrees. Compared with tinplate sheets, icing time is delayed by 200% at-10 degrees C and 800% at-15 degrees C. Ice adhesion strength decreases by 91.8% compared with tinplate, making ice relatively easy to remove. After sandpaper abrasion and immersion in solutions with different pH and temperature, the coating is proven to exhibit good abrasion resistance and chemical durability in water solutions.