Icephobic, Pt-cured, Polydimethylsiloxane Nanocomposite Coatings

To explore novel coatings with potential for easy release of ice (icephobicity), a series of platinum-cured silicone coatings was prepared incorporating SYL-OFF® 7210, designated MQ-R, as a nanoscale reinforcing component. These optically transparent coatings are designated according to cure temperature and MQ-R wt%, e.g., Pt-PDMS(25)-20 for 25 °C cure and 20 wt% MQ-R. Surface characterization included dynamic contact angles and morphology by atomic force microscopy. Bulk characterization was accomplished with stress-strain measurements at 25 °C and dynamic mechanical analysis from -110 to 150 °C. Ice adhesion tests at -10 °C showed modulus had a dominant effect in increasing τice. For -30 °C, storage modulus was greater for coatings cured at 100 °C compared to 25 °C, but ice removal tests at -30 °C (-22 °F) consistently showed τice for Pt-PDMS(100) MQ-R compositions was less than τice for corresponding Pt-PDMS(25) coatings. This unexpected result was explained by proposing that supercooled water at hydro...