Spontaneous peeling of ice accretion: A novel expansion force de-icing unit based on phase transition time lag.

The problem of ice accreted has posed a serious threat to industry and life. In recent years, it has received extensive attention, and a large number of anti-icing and de-icing technologies have been developed. However, even the best-performed anti-icing surface would face ice-forming issue under continuously extreme conditions, which increase the importance of easily ice removal. Although passive methods represented by icephobic surfaces have show great advantages, a more applicable method is the spontaneous peeling of ice under disturbance. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop efficient and reliable de-icing methods. In this paper, a spontaneous de-icing unit based on phase transition time lag is designed by utilizing the expansion force of the water freezing process. The effects of ambient temperature on expansion force, adhesion force, and phase transition lag time are explored, the factors of pit shape and ethanol concentration are introduced. Finally, without relying on energy input, spontaneous peeling of ice was achieved under disturbance and remained effective after 100 icing-deicing cycles. • An expansion force de-icing unit based on phase change lag is proposed. • The spontaneous peeling of ice under gravity disturbance is realized. • The de-icing unit is still effective after 100 icing-de-icing cycles. • Better de-icing effect achieved by reducing phase change lag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]