Balance of Polyacrylate-Fluorosilicone Block Copolymers as Icephobic Coatings

Polyacrylate-fluorosilicone block copolymers, namely, polyacrylate-b-polydimethylsiloxane and polyacrylate-b-polymethyltrifluoropropylsiloxane were synthesized for fabricating icephobic coatings. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the block copolymers were characterized by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, suggesting that the fluorosilicone blocks aggregated on the top of the copolymer surfaces. Results of water contact angles and ice shear strength demonstrated a certain amount adding of methacryloisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane could lead to the decrease of contact angle hysteresis and increase of surface roughness, consequently resulting in significant reduction of the ice adhesion strength. Therefore, the block copolymers with the combined advantages of silicone and fluoropolymers could be potentially applied as icephobic coatings.