Multiscale hybrid-structured femtosecond laser-induced graphene with outstanding photo-electro-thermal effects for all-day anti-icing/deicing

Multifunctional materials with photothermal and electrothermal effects have garnered considerable attention for solving the icing problem. Although great progress has been made in the field of anti-icing/deicing, the low electrothermal performance, complicated fabrication methods, and low durability restrict their widespread application. Here, we fabricate multiscale hybrid-structured femtosecond laser-induced graphene (FsLIG) on polyimide (PI) substrates using femtosecond laser direct writing technology in ambient air, and apply the FsLIG to all-day anti-icing/deicing. With the optimized laser scanning speed, the as-fabricated surface exhibits high light absorption rate (∼98.5%) in the range of 220–1400 nm and low sheet resistance (∼18.2 Ω sq⁻¹), which bestows outstanding photo-electro-thermal effects on the FsLIG surface. Under 1.0 sun illumination or an applied voltage of 4 V, the average surface temperature can rise to ∼69.3 °C or ∼193.1 °C within 30 s. As a result, the FsLIG is successfully applied in anti-icing/deicing. The FsLIG surface realizes anti-icing and deicing when exposed to a sunlight intensity or an applied voltage of 1.0 sun or 2 V. The photo-electro-thermal material developed in this work, along with its simple preparation method, might have broad application prospects in the field of anti-icing/deicing.