Bioinspired Honeycomb‐Armored Photothermal Superhydrophobic Surface With Robust Mechanical Durability for Efficient Anti‐/De‐Icing

ABSTRACT Photothermal superhydrophobic surfaces have emerged as promising candidates for anti‐/de‐icing applications; however, their further application is limited by the mechanical fragility of micro/nanostructures and the reliance on hazardous fluorinated additives. Inspired by the mechanical robustness of natural honeycombs and the superhydrophobic mechanism of lotus leaves, a mechanically durable and fluorine‐free honeycomb‐armored micro‐/nanostructured photothermal superhydrophobic surface (HAMSE) is fabricated. The surface was constructed by laser‐etching honeycomb micro‐arrays on an Al substrate, followed by the spray coating of a hydrophobic SiO 2 / hydroxylated multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (OH‐MWCNTs) /epoxy resin composite. The as‐prepared HAMSE achieved a freezing delay time of 1207.6 ± 135.7 s at −10°C and de‐icing within 83.01 ± 12.04 s under 1 sun illumination. Benefiting from the mechanical protection by the honeycomb armor, the surface maintained its superhydrophobicity after undergoing 100 m of sandpaper abrasion. Even after superhydrophobicity was lost at 140 m of abrasion, the surface retained 68.68% of its original steady‐state temperature rise under illumination. Overall, this durability stems from the structural‐material synergy, where the honeycomb armor sacrifices its own top structure to resist wear while the cross‐linked epoxy network preserves photothermal functionality. This work provides a viable strategy for designing durable, fluorine‐free, solar‐driven anti‐/de‐icing surfaces.