Spray‐Induced High Laplace Pressure for Stable Cassie–Baxter Superhydrophobic Anti‐Icing Surfaces
Abstract
Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) are promising for anti-icing applications but often suffer from low-temperature-induced infiltration that destabilizes the Cassie-Baxter state. Here, we present a scalable spray-based engineering strategy to regulate Laplace pressure and enhance wetting stability by tailoring the morphology of ZIF-67 nanofillers inspired by Oxalis corniculate L. Transforming conventional 3D particles into 2D flaky structures induces a loosely packed architecture during spraying, reducing texture spacing and increasing local Laplace pressure (up to 500.3 Pa). This morphology-driven surface design suppresses infiltration and stabilizes the Cassie-Baxter state at low temperatures. The optimized coating achieves a freezing delay time of 514.97 s, a low ice adhesion strength of 25.7 kPa, and improved corrosion resistance. Although its Laplace pressure is lower than that of laser-textured metallic SHSs, the sprayed surface exhibits superior low-temperature contact-angle stability due to hierarchical porosity, reduced interfacial heat transfer, and effective air retention. These findings demonstrate that spray-induced Laplace pressure engineering provides a practical and scalable route toward durable ice-phobic coatings.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity
Icing and De-icing Technologies
Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Small
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 28
- Pages
- e14349–e14349
- Publication date
- 20 April 2026
- Language
- EN