Black butterfly-inspired hierarchical light-trapping structures: Synergistic photothermal conversion and anti-/de-icing mechanisms of CB/MoS2@PDMS composite coatings

Ice and snow accumulation pose significant threats to the operational safety of aerospace and power systems; however, traditional anti-icing methods often suffer from high energy consumption and environmental concerns. Inspired by the efficient light absorption and micro-nano structures of black butterfly wings, this study developed a biomimetic composite coating (Laser-textured carbon black/MoS 2 @PDMS, L-CM@P) on a copper substrate using laser microfabrication and a multi-scale material compositing strategy. This coating integrates superhydrophobicity with highly efficient photothermal conversion capabilities. The L-CM@P coating comprises molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) nanoblooms and carbon black (CB) as photothermal synergistic components for full-spectrum absorption, with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) incorporated to enhance interfacial adhesion and mechanical robustness. Owing to the “light trapping effect” induced by its micro-nano hierarchical structure, the L-CM@P coating exhibits exceptional photothermal performance, achieving a significant surface temperature rise under 1 sun illumination to enable ultra-rapid active de-icing. Simultaneously, the coating demonstrates remarkable ice-delaying capabilities due to its superhydrophobic properties (water contact angle >150 ° ${}^{°}$ ), achieving a synergy between passive anti-icing and active de-icing. Furthermore, the layered self-lubricating properties of MoS 2 allow the coating to maintain a low and stable coefficient of friction ( ~ 0.15 $~0.15$ ) during wear tests, alongside excellent resistance to UV aging. This study provides new insights into the design of multifunctional surfaces for extreme environments and offers broad application prospects for long-term protection under harsh operating conditions.