Anti-icing mechanism and application of superhydrophobic surface for power transmission lines

Icing on transmission lines presents a significant threat to the safety and reliability of power grid operations. However, conventional anti-icing technologies are often associated with low efficiency, high energy consumption, and limited adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. As an emerging passive anti-icing strategy, superhydrophobic coatings can achieve efficient ice prevention by regulating surface wettability, inhibiting ice nucleation, and reducing ice adhesion strength. This review provides a systematic summary of the anti-icing mechanisms and the research progress regarding the application of superhydrophobic coatings. First, the hazards of ice accumulation and limitations of existing countermeasures are analysed. Then, the anti-icing mechanisms of superhydrophobic surfaces are elaborated from three aspects: wettability regulation, ice nucleation suppression, and interfacial adhesion reduction. The current research status of superhydrophobic anti-icing coatings is highlighted, including the performance advantages and research progress of both single-component superhydrophobic coatings and composite coatings, including photothermal superhydrophobic, electrothermal superhydrophobic, self-lubricating photothermal, and self-healing photothermal coatings. The preparation strategies, methods and performance advantages of these anti-icing coatings were discussed. The limitations of the current technology and potential directions for future development were thoroughly and objectively examined, providing theoretical references and technical insights for developing next-generation anti-icing coatings for transmission lines.