Robust Photothermal Icephobic Surface with Mechanical Durability of Multi‐Bioinspired Structures

Photothermal superhydrophobic surfaces are potential to become ideal anti‐/deicing surfaces due to their rapid water removal, icing delay, and photothermal deicing performance. Here, a robust photothermal icephobic surface with mechanical durability is shown that is integrated with a microspine array inspired by honeycomb and cactus thorn (i.e., MAHC), which is developed by a laser‐layered microfabrication strategy. The maximum stress on the microspine of the MAHC is reduced by ≈2/3, due to the protection of the bionic honeycomb structure. Even after 200 linear abrasions by a steel blade, the MAHC remains superior water repellency with a water contact angle of 150.7° and roll‐off angles of 10.3°, stable icing delay time (578.2 s), and rapidly photothermal deicing capabilities (401 s). As the MAHC is fabricated on a curvature surface such as a copper alloy transmission line for an overhead high‐speed rail, a stable photothermal anti‐/deicing in a low‐temperature environment still can be achieved effectively. The freezing rain covering the functional transmission line completely slides off within 758 s under one sun illumination. This studying offers insight into the design of novel materials with stable anti‐icing/icephobic structures, which would be extended into some applied realms, for example, transportation fields or power systems in cold or low‐temperature climates. A multi‐bioinspired structured microspine array inspired by honeycomb and cactus thorn (i.e., MAHC) with the characterization of mechanical durability achieves robust photothermal icephobicity in cold or low‐temperature environments with potentially intense abrasion, which can be applied on curvature surface (e.g., copper alloy transmission line) of overhead high‐speed rail and trains in transportation fields.