Formation of Icephobic Surface with Micron-Scaled Hydrophobic Heterogeneity on Polyurethane Aerospace Coating

Development of an anti-icing surface on a desired industrial coating patch/object has been the persistent challenge to several industries, such as aviation and wind power. For this aim, performing surface modification to implement the icephobic property on existing commercial coatings is important for practical applications. This work accomplishes an icephobic coating overlying a PPG aerospace polyurethane coating. It manifests a clear capability to delay the formation of frost as well as to reduce the adhesion strength of ice. This icephobic coating is sustained by a unique hydrophobic heterogeneity in the micron-scale of segregation, which is realized through solution casting of a specific copolymer consisting of random rigid and soft segments, namely poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(lauryl methacrylate-2-hydroxy-3-(1-amino dodecyl)propyl methacrylate), respectively. A wrinkled pattern developed over the coating is observed because of the diverse traits between these two segments. Besides, the OH/NH g...