Wave-transparent anti-icing coating
In a new work, an electrothermal film with two-dimensional periodic structural MWCNTs-polymer is proposed to improve its electromagnetic transmittance and address the issue of strong reflection.
Wave-transparent materials are essential to ensure the high-fidelity transmission of electromagnetic waves and to safeguard antenna systems in critical fields such as aerospace, transportation, and communication. However, surface icing of wave-transparent materials or antennas will severely impact their transmission and aerodynamic performance. In a new study, a patterned electrothermal composite film (PEF) was prepared and optimised by relevant theories of electromagnetic leakage and frequency selective surface.
Valuable applications
The PEF demonstrated excellent rapid heating and stability, requiring only 0.4 W/cm2 power density to completely anti-ice in dynamic icing experiments. Additionally, the PEF boasted high transmittance, exceeding 80 % across an ultra-broadband range of 2–18 GHz. Furthermore, the PEF was lightweight and could be prepared in a large area. The results suggest that the PEF has the potential for valuable applications in radar radomes, wave-transmitting walls, and protective walls, particularly in cold areas.
The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 183, October 2023.
