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°and icing delay time of 497 s, which is 4.21 times that of unmodified liquid metal. Under the combined action of 80.5 °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 °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/de-icing in exposed environment.