Exceptional anti-icing and anti-fogging devices have been synthesised through combination of micro- and/or nano-scale hierarchical thin films followed by a modification with a surface lubricant. Aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition… Click to show full abstract
Exceptional anti-icing and anti-fogging devices have been synthesised through combination of micro- and/or nano-scale hierarchical thin films followed by a modification with a surface lubricant. Aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) of single source titanium and tin precursors generated titanium dioxide (TiO2)/tin dioxide (SnO2) composite thin films. Variation in solvent type and/or combination notably impacted on the resulting intricate surface morphologies, which, upon Krytox lubricant modification, generated slippery liquid infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). The surface topography had a profound effect on the degree of surface ice and fog accumulation. The highest functioning films comprised of hybrid spherical/flowery surface structures generated using a mixed ethyl acetate/dichloromethane solvent system. These films retarded ice formation for >30 min at -15 °C and maintained a high level of sample transparency upon suspension above a heated water bath.
               
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