Integration of plasmonic photothermal effect and durable superhydrophobicity for excellent anti-icing/deicing and anti-corrosion performances using TiN-PTFE nanostructures

摘要

The titanium nitride and Polytetrafluoroethylene hybrid nanorods (TiN-PTFE NRs) structure wasrationally designed and facilely prepared using glancing angle deposition technique for theconstruction of a photothermal and superhydrophobic coating film. TiN NRs of different length weredeposited to tailor and optimize their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) performance.Benefitting from the LSPR-mediated photothermal effect of TiN NRs, the obtained nanocompositecould efficiently adsorb light and convert the optical energy into heat under laser/solar irradiation.PTFE NRs with low surface energy and high porosity could maximize the film superhydrophobicity,illustrating a water contact angle above 156° and a sliding angle as low as ~2°. Through theintegration of plasmonic photothermal effect and superhydrophobicity, the as-fabricated TiN-PTFEfilm possessed both passive anti-icing property and active deicing functionality, i.e., the freezingtime of a water droplet on the TiN-PTFE coated substrate was delayed by ~400% times comparedwith that on untreated Q235 steel surface; upon laser illumination, the LSPR induced photothermalconversion could melt the accumulated ice layer within several seconds. In addition, the TiN-PTFEfilm exhibited excellent self-cleaning ability against dust pollution, high thermal stability up to 200°C, chemical stability in a large range of pH solutions, as well as mechanically durability uponscratching. Furthermore, due to the water-repellent property and the air cushions formed on theTiN-PTFE film surface, the penetration and diffusion of corrosive media into the underlying steelsurface were restricted, hence significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of TiN-PTFE coatedQ235 steel in NaCl solution. This robust nanocomposite film with multiple outstanding propertieswill not only inspire the development of plasmonic materials and superhydrophobic surfaces, butalso expanding the practical applications in industrial fields.