POS7-1007
Highly Durable and Self-Healing Superhydrophobic Polyurethane Nanocomposites for Anti-Icing Applications
Topic
S7. Innovations in Polymeric Composites: From Design and Processing to Industrial Applications
When and Where
Oct 1, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Jinkee HONG
Ki Su KIM
Presenter(s)
MYONGKEON OH (Korea Institute of Industrial Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Superhydrophobic coatings have garnered considerable attention for anti-icing applications; however, their practical use in harsh environments is severely limited by poor mechanical durability, which leads to irreversible surface damage under abrasion or weathering. To address this challenge, we report a highly robust, self-healing superhydrophobic polyurethane (PU) nanocomposite engineered with dynamic covalent networks and an exceptionally high hard segment (HS) content of 70 wt.%.
The foundational PU matrix was synthesized via prepolymerization, utilizing a hybrid soft segment (SS) of poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG) and polydimethylsiloxane diol (PDMS diol). The system leverages isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl disulfide (HEDS) to form a densely cross-linked 70 wt.% HS domain. This structural design enables the pristine polymer matrix alone to achieve an outstanding pencil hardness of 3H, confirming the coating's mechanical robustness.
Upon incorporation of silica nanoparticles into this robust network, the resulting nanocomposite achieved a stable Cassie-Baxter state with an average water contact angle (WCA) of 151.2°. Furthermore, the reversible exchange reactions of the dynamic disulfide bonds (-S-S-) provided the coating with exceptional self-healing capabilities. After being subjected to physical scratch damage, the coating underwent autonomous surface recovery, regaining 98.3% of its initial water contact angle.
Consequently, this highly durable, self-healing nanocomposite represents a promising material platform for outdoor infrastructures, such as aircraft, wind turbines, and solar panels, thereby mitigating ice-induced degradation and extending the service life of critical infrastructure in sub-zero environments.
The foundational PU matrix was synthesized via prepolymerization, utilizing a hybrid soft segment (SS) of poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG) and polydimethylsiloxane diol (PDMS diol). The system leverages isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl disulfide (HEDS) to form a densely cross-linked 70 wt.% HS domain. This structural design enables the pristine polymer matrix alone to achieve an outstanding pencil hardness of 3H, confirming the coating's mechanical robustness.
Upon incorporation of silica nanoparticles into this robust network, the resulting nanocomposite achieved a stable Cassie-Baxter state with an average water contact angle (WCA) of 151.2°. Furthermore, the reversible exchange reactions of the dynamic disulfide bonds (-S-S-) provided the coating with exceptional self-healing capabilities. After being subjected to physical scratch damage, the coating underwent autonomous surface recovery, regaining 98.3% of its initial water contact angle.
Consequently, this highly durable, self-healing nanocomposite represents a promising material platform for outdoor infrastructures, such as aircraft, wind turbines, and solar panels, thereby mitigating ice-induced degradation and extending the service life of critical infrastructure in sub-zero environments.
