Development of an easy-to-clean and icephobic polyurethane based coating for aluminium structures

冰层的积聚和污染会严重损坏裸露的建筑物。寒冷气候地区户外表面积冰会导致危险的道路状况、电力传输设备的损坏和轨道交通系统的扰动。结冰还会加速室外结构的劣化。该项目旨在开发一种涂层，该涂层将为铝合金表面提供疏水和易于清洁的性能。这一新产品将基于Nanophyll开发的具有疏水和防腐性能的聚亚安酯丙烯酸酯(PU-丙烯酸酯)涂料。这种涂料在各种环境中使用时表现出良好的柔韧性，包括交通、建筑和装饰部门，这些部门在去除铝结构上不想要的或意外的污渍方面存在挑战。这种新涂层将针对铝表面结冰有问题的几个领域，包括建筑、交通、汽车、航空航天和农业环境。该项目的中心目标是将表面功能化的微米和纳米颗粒加入到PU-丙烯酸酯涂层中，以创建具有微纳米结构的表面，从而促进疏水和自清洁性能。聚合物基质中微纳米粒子的类型、大小和分散性将得到优化，以实现真正的超疏水和易于清洁的涂层。此外，我们将测试涂层对恶劣环境条件的耐受性；耐用涂层可显著降低与涂层结构相关的运营和维护成本。然而，结冰和涂层上的污染会降低涂层的性能和耐用性。因此，我们将确保开发的易于清洁的涂层也是疏水性的，以延长其在铝表面的耐受性和有效性。

The accretion of ice and pollution can seriously damage exposed structures. Ice accumulation on outdoor surfaces in cold climate regions leads to hazardous road conditions, damage to power transmission equipment, and the perturbation of rail transportation systems. Ice accretion also accelerates the deterioration of outdoor structures. This project aims to develop a coating that would provide aluminum alloy surfaces with icephobic and easy-clean properties. This novel product would be based on a polyurethane acrylate (PU-acrylate) coating developed by Nanophyll that has both hydrophobic and anti-corrosion properties. This coating has shown good flexibility when used in various settings including the transportation, construction, and decoration sectors where there are challenges related to the removal of unwanted or accidental stains on aluminum structures. This new coating would target several areas where ice accumulation on aluminum surfaces is problematic, including construction, transportation, automotive, aerospace, and agricultural settings. The central objective of this project is to incorporate surface functionalized micro- and nanoparticles into a PU-acrylate coating to create a micro-nanotextured surface that fosters icephobic and self-cleaning properties. The type, size, and dispersal of micro-nanoparticles within the polymer matrix will be optimized to achieve a truly superhydrophobic and easy-clean coating. Furthermore, we will test the resistance of the coating to harsh environmental conditions; a durable coating significantly reduces operation and maintenance costs related to the coated structures. The accumulation of ice and pollution on coatings, however, reduces their performance and durability. As such, we will ensure that the developed easy to clean coating is also icephobic so as to prolong its resistance and efficacy on aluminum surfaces.