Cell membrane-inspired self-assembly corrosion resistant liquid metal composite coating with photothermal/electrothermal anti-icing/ de-icing performance

Liquid metals have been expected to be promising photothermal/electrothermal anti-icing materials for their excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. However, inescapable oxidation and corrosion limit the life and efficiency of liquid metal materials. Inspired by the self-assembly of phospholipid molecules in cell membranes, self-assembly corrosion resistant liquid metal composite coating is designed to protect liquid metal from icing and corrosion hazards. Based on self-assembly of fluor-silicon molecules mimicking phospholipid molecules and micro-nano surface morphology, the coating has water contact angle of 150.8 degrees and icing delay time of 497 s, which is 4.21 times that of unmodified liquid metal. Under the combined action of 80.5 degrees C photothermal effect and superhydrophobicity, the de-icing efficiency of the coating is 2.04 times that of the unmodified liquid metal. The photothermal de-icing efficiency remains 99.3 % after two months of acid corrosion and 94.4 % after two months of alkali corrosion. In addition, the thermal network of the coating leads to thermal conductivity of 3.66 W/mK and flame retardancy with UL94 at V0 rating. The coating is made into an electrothermal device with 52.5 degrees C heating temperature and rapidly de-icing property. The cell membrane-inspired self-assembly liquid metal composite coating provides a secure solution for long-term photothermal/electrothermal anti-icing/deicing in exposed environment.