Sprayable, Superhydrophobic, Electrically, and Thermally Conductive Coating

A simple to make, multifunctional, heatable, and sprayable superhydrophobic and electrically conductive coating is developed by dispersing carbon nanofibers (CNFs) into a water repelling polymer matrix. The developed coating exhibits an average static and hysteresis contact angles of 160 degrees and 5 degrees, respectively. An electrical conductivity of 1100 S m(-1) and a thermal conductivity of 0.001 W m(-1) K-1 are obtained with a sample of dimensions: 3 cm x 1 cm x 20 mu m. A 12 mu m thick coating under an average electric current of 75 mA reaches to a surface temperature of more than 140 degrees C for a dry coating. The coating when in contact with ice or water (water at 25 degrees C for 300 h, and at 85 degrees C for less than an hour) does not show a deterioration of wetting performance. Furthermore, it is shown how this coating can be used to mitigate the ice formation on cold surfaces. The ability of application of the developed coating to various substrates is also shown.

Automated summary

A multifunctional coating with carbon nanofibers dispersed in a water repelling polymer matrix has been developed, exhibiting high static and hysteresis contact angles, as well as significant electrical and thermal conductivity. The coating can reach high temperatures and maintain its performance when in contact with ice or water, showing potential for mitigating ice formation on cold surfaces.