Superhydrophobic, active anti-corrosion, and solar anti-icing coating with fast self-healing properties

Corrosion and icing considerably threaten the service safety of magnesium (Mg) alloys in aerospace and transportation industries. Although superhydrophobic coatings offer effective anti-corrosion and anti-icing functions, yet they are limited by the susceptibility of coatings to failure due to physical damage or the capillary condensation phenomenon. Herein, a multifunctional integrated coating is reported, which endows the coated Mg alloys with excellent superhydrophobicity, active anti-corrosion performances, anti-icing properties, and fast self-healing capabilities (SAAS). The experimental and theoretical results reveal that the layered double hydroxide (LDH) modified and intercalated with sodium laurate (La) acts as nanoreservoirs, which releases La corrosion inhibitors through an anion-exchange process to effectively retard corrosion. Based on the incorporation of MXene, the SAAS coating reveals full-spectrum high absorption and efficient photo-thermal conversion, and meanwhile causes a 61 °C surface temperature under 1.0 sun illumination. This photothermal effect effectively prevents the adhesion and accumulation of supercooled droplets. Furthermore, near-infrared (NIR) irradiation induces macromolecular chains migration and phase transition, enabling fast self-healing of coating damage. This study not only provides a novel strategy for enhancing the ability of aircraft skins but also offers new insights into the design of multifunctional coatings.