Enhanced solar photothermal anti-/de-icing performance of microstructured polypropylene/graphene composite surfaces with diameter- and density-optimized nanopillars

Ice formation significantly hinders human productivity and daily life. Photothermal de-icing materials offer a promising solution for solar energy applications. Anodized Al oxide foils with diameter- and density-optimized micro/nanostructured pores were used as templates to prepare photothermal polypropylene/graphene (PP/GP) composites with varying GP contents through compression molding. The impact of the GP content on the absorption rate, photothermal properties, and anti-/de-icing performance of the PP/GP composites were systematically investigated. The transmittance at a GP content > 1 % was nearly zero. The reflectivity and absorbance of the PP/GP content increased and decreased, respectively, with an increasing GP content. The temperature of the center of the PP/GP composite stabilized at approximately 94 °C after 5 min of light exposure, and the de-icing time was 70 s. This innovative approach integrates superhydrophobicity with excellent photothermal conversion properties, enabling effective ice prevention in cold environments with prolonged icing completion times (214 s).