Chapter 9 - Coatings and surfaces with hydrophobic and anti-icing properties

Abstract

Icing on surfaces has always been a problem if water is present under freezing conditions. The ice can cause large damage to equipment and installations, and it is therefore of greatest interest to look into possibilities to avoid icing. Passive icephobic coatings are one way to impede ice formation. Hydrophobic surfaces will limit the amount of water available for nucleation and ice formation. The surface structure is important to minimize the contact area to the water, and hierarchical structures may give superhydrophobic surfaces. In real applications, some water will always be present, and due to the resulting ice formation, surfaces with low ice adhesion are preferred. An anti-icing surface combines these properties: ensures high degree of water repellency, delays any ice nucleation, and show low ice adhesion. Finally, the mechanical properties and the durability of such surfaces/coatings are of the greatest importance to ensure lifelong functionality.