Surface‐Embedded Ag@Multilayer Graphene for Photothermal‐Enhanced Superhydrophobic Anti‐Icing Coatings

ABSTRACT Harnessing solar energy for self‐heating presents an effective strategy to suppress surface ice formation. In this paper, we fabricated nano‐silver‐modified multilayer graphene sheets (Ag@MGs) that integrate photothermal and superhydrophobic properties for anti‐icing applications. The coating was assembled through a capillary‐force‐driven in situ encapsulation process of surface‐embedded nanoparticles. Driven by gravitational setting and steric hindrance, the Ag@MGs formed a uniform micro‐convex structure on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), achieving superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of approximately 154.5°. Silver nanoparticles generated nanoscale heating through localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), while the superior carrier mobility and thermal conductivity of graphene facilitated rapid heat collection and diffusion. This synergistic effect, enhanced by hot‐electron injection and interfacial coupling, significantly improved the photothermal conversion efficiency and expanded the effective heating range. Phonon spectrum simulations and light‐scattering analyses revealed the resistive losses of silver nanoparticles during electromagnetic wave propagation, which validates that heat generation originates from free‐electron excitation. The composite coating reached a photothermal temperature of 80.5°C under 200 mW cm −2 irradiation and also provided supplemental electrothermal heating, reaching 38.3°C. It exhibited 102 s icing delay and a rapid photothermal de‐icing response. Furthermore, the coating demonstrated robust mechanical stability, maintaining a 152.1° contact angle after 10 freeze–thaw cycles. This solar‐energy‐driven strategy transcends the performance limitations of conventional superhydrophobic anti‐icing coatings.