Advanced dual-responsive silicone-based nanocomposites: Enhancing the de-icing efficacy of power transmission lines by harnessing magnetic and solar energy

In regions prone to severe weather, ice accumulation on power transmission lines creates significant challenges, including structural damage and power outages. Although various de-icing strategies exist, many are labor-intensive, costly, and provide only short-term solutions. This study introduces a novel nanocomposite coating composed of surface-modified iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in a silicone-based polymer. This coating harnesses thermomagnetic and photothermal properties to convert magnetic and solar energy into heat to produce effective de-icing of transmission lines. We evaluated the surface characteristics using contact and sliding angle measurements, profilometry, and differential scanning calorimetry, along with freezing delay and ice adhesion tests under nonimpact conditions. The 30 wt% nanoparticle coating achieved the highest contact angle (116°), whereas the 20 wt% coating (SFe20) demonstrated superior performance with the lowest sliding angle (12° ± 0.8°) and ice nucleation temperature (−25.1 °C). Under simulated sunlight, the SFe20 coating melted ice within 210 s, raising the surface temperature from −5 °C to 21 °C. Additionally, its thermomagnetic response facilitated ice detachment at low temperatures, with surface temperature changes twice that of the control samples lacking nanoparticles. These findings demonstrate that the SFe20 coating is a promising, energy-efficient alternative to conventional mechanical and thermal de-icing methods in the power industry.