Nb2C/MWCNTs composite photothermal superhydrophobic anti/de-icing coating inspired by dragonfly wings

Icing causes severe economic losses and safety hazards, and existing anti/de-icing materials suffer various limitations. Nb 2 C remains relatively unexplored in this field, and this is the first report using Nb 2 C MXene for photothermal anti/de-icing applications. Inspired by dragonfly wing veins, a micro-nano grid structure was laser-engraver on an Al substrate, followed by simple spraying to fabricate a Nb 2 C/MWCNTs composite coating (PCNA). The bio-inspired microstructure delivers excellent hydrophobicity (CA: 152°, SA: 3.2°) to reduce ice nucleation and adhesion, while enabling efficient light trapping for solar energy utilization. Under 1-sun illumination, PCNA rapidly heated to 76.4 °C and melted a 0.5 cm 3 ice in 90 s; at −15 °C, it delays 15 μL water droplet freezing to 1411 s with ice adhesion strength of 7.97 ± 0.54 kPa. The coating also exhibits good anti-fouling and mechanical durability.