A photothermal self-healing solid like super slippery coating with active, passive anti-icing and anti-corrosion combination based on micro-arc oxidation

Lightweight alloys have gained prominence in weight-critical applications, however their susceptibility to corrosion and inability to mitigate surface ice accumulation remain significant limitations. In this study, these challenges are addressed by developing a photothermal self-healing, solid-like super-slippery coating using magnesium-lithium (Mg-Li) alloy as a substrate. Through synchrotron tomography, the mechanically cross-linked architecture of the cured super-slippery coating integrated with a micro-arc oxidation (MAO) layer is revealed. Experimental results demonstrate that the coating achieves autonomous repair under natural sunlight. In-situ metallographic microscopy further captures dynamic paraffin redistribution during the self-healing process. The contact angle of the FSSC-MAO coating reaches 100°, which effectively reduces the actual contact area between surface droplets and the coating and extending surface icing time by fivefold, while the active photothermal functionality enables rapid de-icing (outdoor temperature: −8℃) via sunlight exposure. Outdoor field tests validate the coating’s dual capability in corrosion resistance and ice mitigation, highlighting its potential for real-world applications in low-temperature environment.