Effects of surface topography and chemistry modifications of stainless steel through ion implantation on icephobicity

Abstract The adhesion of ice onto various surfaces can lead to many problems in the engineering world, creating hazards and economic losses. Recently, passive icephobic surfaces have been developed that can prevent ice build-up on a surface, but the mechanism of ice adhesion to a surface is still not well understood. This study aims to improve the understanding of the mechanism of ice adhesion to stainless steel surfaces. Ion implantation with Xe + ions was used for surface topography modifications and CF + ions were used for surface chemistry modifications. The effect of a combination of both treatments was also investigated. The results of this study confirm the theory that the ice adhesion strength of a material is determined by the degree of interaction between ice and the material at the ice-solid interface. An ice droplet that penetrates into the space between asperities (Wenzel-type) shows higher ice adhesion strength than an ice droplet that sits on top of the asperities and microscopic air bubbles (Cassie-Baxter type). It was suggested that because hydrophobic substances were implanted near the base of the asperities, the transition of a Cassie-Baxter water droplet into a Wenzel type ice droplet during freezing was prevented. With the results of this study, the mechanism of ice adhesion to stainless steel was better understood in an effort to achieve practical icephobicity for engineering applications.