UV-curable, superhydrophobic, fluorene-free, ice-phobic coating for windshields

In cold environments, the driving range of electric vehicles is significantly reduced due to the high energy consumption of active de-icing systems. As a result, enhancing the passive de-icing capability of car windshields has become a focal point in both academic and industrial research in recent years. Compared to other application, deicing for car windshields requires higher standards for transparency, durability, and universality. In this work, a UV-curable, transparent superhydrophobic coating based on polyurethane was developed, aimed at anti-icing and self-cleaning applications for automotive windshields. This coating, with its active anti-icing capability, reduces the adhesion of water and ice to the glass surface, significantly lowering the energy consumption for de-icing at start-up, improving de-icing efficiency. By integrating a spray-coating method with SiO2 particles, the coating achieves a balance between high transparency and excellent hydrophobicity. The experimental results show that when the concentration of SiO2 was 1.5 wt%, the coating exhibits a contact angle of 165°, over 82 % maximum light transmittance, and an extended ice delay time by 12 times compared to pristine glass. The ice adhesion force is reduced by 15 times as well. Additionally, the coating demonstrates excellent abrasion resistance and impact resistance to water droplets, maintaining its superhydrophobic state after 102,600 water drop impacts. This coating, with its active de-icing capability, significantly reduces the de-icing energy consumption of electric vehicles during startup by minimizing the adhesion of water droplets and ice layers on the glass surface, thereby enhancing de-icing efficiency in cold climates and extending the driving range.