Effects of hydrophobicity and lubricant characteristics on anti-icing performance of slippery lubricant-infused porous surfaces

Spreading coefficient is a key factor in selecting the lubricant for anti-icing applications of SLIPS. [Display omitted] •Anti-icing properties are evaluated by measuring the adhesion force on various SLIPS.•Initial superhydrophobicity of porous surfaces is important for anti-icing performance.•Adhesion force is not affected by viscosity, density, and surface tension of lubricants.•Spreading coefficient of the liquid–liquid interface is the most important factor.•This study is useful for determining the best lubricant to design icephobic SLIPS. Anti-icing properties were investigated in terms of adhesion force on slippery lubricant-infused porous surfaces with several lubricants. Initial wetting state of substrate and lubricant characteristics were verified in anti-icing performance. Superhydrophobicity of porous substrate under lubricant intervening layer was effective to reduce adhesion force in anti-icing. The relationships between adhesion force and lubricant characteristics including viscosity, density, and surface tension were analyzed but no correlation was found. Interfacial surface tension exhibited a relatively negative correlation with adhesion strength. However, spreading coefficient of liquid–liquid interface was found to be the most important factor in determining lubricant when designing icephobic surfaces.