Photothermal superhydrophobic coating for concrete: Highly effective anti/ deicing performance and corrosion resistance

Superhydrophobic concrete is an effective method to prevent corrosion of internal steel bar. However, existing superhydrophobic concrete is difficult to remove the ice on the superhydrophobic concrete surface. Here, we overcame this problem by developing a photothermal superhydrophobic coating for concrete, which obtained from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and further superhydrophobicity. This photothermal superhydrophobic coating showed the excellent superhydrophobicity, self-cleaning property, anti-fouling property, and the long anti-icing time. In addition, the ice on the coating would rapidly melt into the water which easily rolled off the surface under the irradiation of infrared light. This coating not only had the good chemical durability and mechanical durability, but also had the corrosion resistance performance. This work will enrich superhydrophobic concrete technology and promote the application of superhydrophobic concrete in practical building.