Multi-functional anti-icing hydrogel materials and methods for controlling ice nucleation, growth and adhesion
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsXimin He, Zhiyuan He
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Abstract
Highly efficient, multi-functional anti-icing compositions and methods of their use are provided. Anti-icing compositions include hydrogels configured to form thin film coatings on various surfaces via spin coating under UV irradiation. Multifunctional anti-icing platforms are based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-grafted polyelectrolyte hydrogels. Methods for grafting hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chains onto a hydrophilic polyelectrolyte network containing various counterions, forming a multifunctional hybrid anti-icing hydrogel are also provided.
Claims29
An anti-icing material comprising:
- a hydrophilic polyelectrolyte material containing at least one counterion, and
- a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS);
- wherein the PDMS is cross-linked onto the polyelectrolyte material;
- wherein the anti-icing material inhibits ice nucleation, inhibits ice propagation, and reduces ice adhesion.
A method of fabricating an anti-icing coating, comprising:
- functionalizing a substrate with at least one vinyl group;
- preparing a precursor solution comprising at least one hydrophilic polyelectrolyte material, a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane, and an initiator;
- depositing the precursor solution on the substrate;
- and
- polymerizing the precursor solution on the substrate to form the anti-icing coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.