Robust metallic-based superhydrophobic composite with rigid micro-skeleton structure for anti-icing/frosting

Superhydrophobic coatings with excellent water-repellent property exhibit unique advantages in anti-icing/frosting but suffer from the problem of low mechanical and environmental durability. Although several strategies have been adopted to tackle this issue, developing an equipment-free, low-cost and scalable strategy for the fabrication of robust superhydrophobic coatings remains a technical challenge. Here, we construct a robust superhydrophobic composite with rigid micro-skeleton structure via mild and equipment-free dip-coating method. The prepared composite consists of Cr microparticles confined in epoxy adhesive layer and stearic acid-modified Cu powders, among which the first dip-coating Cr microparticles function as robust micro-skeleton due to their rigid property. Then smaller-sized Cu powders are filled within the micro-skeleton structure to be modified with low-surface-energy coating to provide superhydrophobic property. The rigid micro-skeleton imparts the superhydrophobic composite great durability to resist long-term abrasion, knife scratching, tape-peeling, water jetting tests, acid/saline corrosion, temperature process and UV irradiation. In addition, the as-designed micro-skeleton structure could “lock” various modified nanoparticles (candle soot, SiO2 nanoparticles, recycled rubber particles) to provide the persistently superhydrophobicity. mportantly, the as-prepared superhydrophobic composite could retard the formation of the ice/frost in − 20 ℃, exhibiting a good anti-icing/frosting property and great durability even after cycled anti-icing/frosting test. We believe that this equipment-free, low-cost and scalable design strategy can provide a novel approach for the fabrication of robust superhydrophobic coatings.