The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Global environmental concerns have driven efforts to reduce the use of toxic and volatile organic solvents in polymer coatings. While water is an eco-friendly alternative, it mainly works with hydrophilic polymers, which often lack durability in humid environments. To address this, a polarity-switchable copolymer containing maleic anhydride (MA) was developed. Base-induced ring opening of MA introduces hydrophilicity for waterborne coating formulation, followed by thermal ring closure that restores hydrophobicity for long-term stability. When applied to rough surfaces, the coating adopts a Cassie–Baxter wetting state, enhancing superhydrophobicity and reducing ice adhesion. Incorporating graphene oxide improves hardness, thermal stability, and photothermal properties, enabling faster ice removal under sunlight. This multifunctional and sustainable polymer coating offers a promising solution for passive anti-icing applications on large-scale outdoor surfaces.