Dynamic Anti/Deicing Hierarchical Structure for Flow Environments with Microdroplets: Enhanced Icephobicity Attributed to the Synergistic Interplay between Aerodynamic Properties and Superhydrophobicity

ABSTRACT Nowadays, the microstructural morphologies of superhydrophobic surfaces play a crucial role in determining their aerodynamic performance under high‐speed flow conditions. Undesigned microstructures even have adverse effects on energy consumption during flight. In this work, a hierarchical structure with both aerodynamic drag reduction and superhydrophobic properties was designed and fabricated. Simulation results indicate that a higher reverse velocity grade and larger micro‐vortexes together contribute to a 3.79% drag reduction rate in the microstructure. Moreover, an optimal microstructure angle of 30° not only inhibits ice nucleation on the superhydrophobic surface under static conditions, but also isolates the supercooled droplets from the surface by inducing microvortices in dynamic flow environments, demonstrating a remarkable ice mass reduction of 28.1%. Notably, the hierarchical structure surface exhibits an exceptionally low ice adhesion force (