Synergistic anti-icing/de-icing of silicone rubber leading edges of aircraft propellers

Silicone rubber is widely employed as a protective material for aircraft propeller leading edges, where surface anti-icing/de-icing performance critically impacts flight safety. Using a combined spray coating and templating approach, we fabricated micro/nanostructures on the silicone rubber surface, conferring exceptional superhydrophobicity. These enhanced properties facilitate ice shedding during de-icing while prolonging surface ice formation time. To leverage photothermal conversion with minimal heat loss, nano-graphite – selected for its superior photothermal characteristics – was incorporated as a filler material. This imparted excellent photothermal conversion capability and low thermal conductivity to the composite. Subsequent evaluation of surface ice adhesion strength and melting kinetics under illumination revealed a reduction in ice adhesion strength to 5.1 kPa. Under simulated 1-sun irradiation (1 kW/m²), complete ice detachment occurred within 300 s.