The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Efficient heat transfer management is crucial for improving energy efficiency in household, industrial, and communication systems. When cold heat exchanger is exposed to air, moisture condenses and forms frost layers, which increase thermal resistance and reduce heat transfer efficiency. As a result, defrosting operations are required and account for nearly 20% of total energy consumption. Hydrogel show potential for anti-icing applications by reducing the free-water fraction through polymer–water interactions. However, their use is limited by poor mechanical robustness and excessive swelling. In this study, a hybrid gel composed of the zwitterion MPC and silica was fabricated. The incorporation of silica decreased interchain spacing within the polymer network, leading to reduced free-water content and enhanced mechanical durability. The performance and applicability were evaluated by analyzing hydration layer changes as a ratio of MPC-Silica and by assessing thermal efficiency.