A novel flexible micro-ratchet/ZnO nano-rods surface with rapid recovery icephobic performance

The liquid droplet can recover to sphere state (Cassie's state) after melting from low temperature (for example, 20°C). ▪ [Display omitted] •ZnO nano-rods are uniformly planted on the flexible PDMS surface.•Fabrication of the surface integrates both crystal growth and physical vapor deposition methods.•The superhydrophobic surface successfully realizes fast-recovery from freezing state.•In freezing process, the nanorods can hardly cracked due to the flexible basement. In this communication, we present a significant method to fabricate a robust icephobic surface on a flexible polymer substrate. The flexible functional surface is obtained by integrating both soft-lithography and crystal growth methods. Modified by the materials with low surface free energy, the composite surface exhibits a robust superhydrophobicity at not only room temperature but also low temperature. After freezing test, the surface can recover to its original function quickly, which has achieved the level for industrial application, and also performed significant role for enhancing the icephobic theories.