Preparation of biological antifreeze protein-modified emulsified asphalt coating and research on its anti-icing performance.

[Display omitted] • Bio-antifreeze protein is used to prepare pavement anti-freezing coating. • The anti-freezing performance of bio-AFP-modified emulsified asphalt coating was tested. • The road performance of bio-AFP-modified emulsified asphalt coating was tested. Natural organisms use their own biological antifreeze proteins (AFP) to cope with cold environments. Based on this natural phenomenon, we herein use biological AFP and asphalt-based materials to prepare road anti-icing coating materials and subsequently study its storage stability and anti-icing performance. The storage stability test, fluorescence microscope analysis, scanning electron microscope analysis, and infrared spectrum analysis demonstrated that when the AFP powder content was not more than 5%, it was evenly dispersed in the emulsified asphalt, had good stability, did not undergo a chemical reaction, and retained the molecular activity of AFP. Combined with the anti-icing, pull-out, and falling ball impact tests, the addition of biological AFP powder demonstrates obvious anti-icing performance; furthermore, with an increase in the powder content, the anti-icing effect is improved. The road performance test showed that the coating had good durability and spalling resistance. When the spraying amount of the coating on the asphalt pavement is ≤ 0.4 kg/m2, the BPN value and TD value meet the requirements of the specification. The application of a biological AFP-modified emulsified asphalt coating can significantly improve the anti-icing performance of roads and does not harm ecological environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]