On the Relationship between Surface Free Energy and Ice Adhesion of Flat Anti-Icing Surfaces

Abstract

The research efforts to produce surfaces to reduce ice adhesion strength play an important role in anti-icing studies because of the possible easy removal of ice from such surfaces. Smooth surfaces having low free energies and strong mechanical properties are always potential icephobic surfaces since their production can be feasible for large surface areas. In this chapter, we focus on the research results on smooth solid surfaces in order to examine the effect of surface free energy and water contact angles on their anti-icing property. Initially, the types of ice formation processes, wettability, water contact angle (WCA), surface free energy (SFE) and work of adhesion concepts are presented. Short descriptions are also given regarding the current status of the superhydrophobic and slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces in anti-icing applications. Later, the publications describing the relationship between the ice adhesion strength results with the measured water contact angles and surface free energies of smooth anti-icing surfaces are reviewed and discussed. In general, it is reported that ice adhesion strength on smooth surfaces decreases with the increase in WCA and decreases in SFE and contact angle hysteresis, in agreement with the molecular interaction expectations between water and solids. However, the problem is more complex and induces misinterpretations because of the lack of standardization of the ice adhesion tests, which causes confusion when comparing the results obtained from different laboratories on different sample surfaces. Some possible solutions regarding the implementation and reporting of ice adhesion strength and other anti-icing tests are also discussed for a better evaluation of icephobic surfaces in the future. © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.