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

冰的堆积和污染会严重破坏裸露的结构。在寒冷气候地区，室外表面上的冰积累导致危险的道路状况、对电力传输设备的损坏以及对轨道交通系统的干扰。积冰也加速了室外结构的损坏。该项目旨在开发一种涂层，使铝合金表面具有疏冰和易清洁的特性。这种新产品将基于Nanophyll开发的聚氨酯丙烯酸酯（PU-丙烯酸酯）涂层，具有疏水和防腐蚀性能。该涂料在用于各种环境中时显示出良好的灵活性，包括运输、建筑和装饰部门，其中存在与去除铝结构上不需要的或意外的污渍相关的挑战。这种新的涂层将针对铝表面结冰问题的几个领域，包括建筑，运输，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纳入PU丙烯酸酯涂层中，以创建微纳米纹理表面，促进疏冰和自清洁性能。聚合物基质中微纳米颗粒的类型、尺寸和分散将得到优化，以实现真正的超疏水和易清洁涂层。此外，我们还将测试涂层对恶劣环境条件的耐受性;耐用的涂层可显著降低与涂层结构相关的运营和维护成本。然而，冰和污染物在涂层上的积累降低了它们的性能和耐久性。因此，我们将确保开发的易于清洁的涂料也是憎冰的，以延长其在铝表面上的抵抗力和功效。

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.