Durable Surface Functionalization for Enhanced Phase-Change Heat Transfer Applications

Phase-change heat transfer processes, such as boiling, condensation, and freezing, are integral to a wide range of technologies, including power generation, desalination, microelectronics cooling, and anti-icing. Surface functionalization has emerged as a powerful approach to enhance these processes by tailoring interfacial properties such as wettability, roughness, and nucleation site density. However, while functionalized surfaces often show remarkable laboratory-scale performance, their lack of durability under thermal, mechanical, and chemical stresses remains the primary barrier to real-world implementation. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of durable surface functionalization strategies for enhanced phase-change heat transfer. After introducing the core interfacial concepts and summarizing recent developments in surface engineering methods, the discussion turns to durability challenges such as thermal cycling, corrosion, and fouling. The chapter then highlights experimental investigations on durable surfaces for boiling enhancement and anti-icing applications, emphasizing the trade-offs between functional performance and long-term stability. Finally, key insights are summarized, and emerging opportunities are identified.