Researchers have developed a UV-curable biomimetic coating that mimics the surface of rose petals, combining excellent anti-icing performance with high optical transparency and environmental durability. The system shows strong potential for applications in aircraft windshields, UAV sensor windows and solar panels.
Anti-icing coatings typically face an inherent trade-off between functional performance, optical transparency and long-term environmental durability. To address these challenges simultaneously, researchers have developed a multifunctional biomimetic coating designed to integrate efficient passive anti-icing behaviour with high optical transmittance and robust durability.
The system is based on a newly synthesised UV-curable fluorinated polysiloxane/polyurea (FPSU) resin serving as the polymer matrix. Al₂O₃ microspheres were incorporated onto the surface via a spray-coating approach. Simultaneous resin crosslinking and robust anchoring of the microstructures were achieved through in situ UV curing, resulting in the FPSUA coating, which mimics the hierarchical surface morphology of rose petals.
Source www. european-coatings.com