Enhanced Premelting at the Ice–Rubber Interface Using All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulation

The ice-rubber interface is critical in applications such as tires and shoe outsoles, yet its molecular tribology remains unclear. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we studied premelting layers at the basal face of ice in contact with styrene-butadiene rubber from 254 to 269 K. Despite its hydrophobicity, rubber enhanced the structural disorder of interfacial water, promoting premelting. In contrast, water mobility was suppressed by confinement from polymer chains, leading to glassy dynamics distinct from that of the ice-vapor interface. Near the melting point, rubber chains became more flexible and penetrated the premelting layer, forming a mixed rubber-water region that couples the dynamics of both components. These results suggest that nanoscale roughness and morphology of hydrophobic polymers disrupt ice hydrogen-bond networks, thereby enhancing premelting. Our findings provide molecular-level insight into ice slipperiness and inform the design of polymer materials with controlled ice adhesion and friction.