Synergistic Effects of the Superhydrophilic and Superhydrophobic Components on the Anti-freezing Performances of Latex Particles and Anti-icing Properties of Latex Films.

The development of new materials for anti-freezing and anti-icing applications is a big challenge in industry and academic area. In this research, inspired by the antifreeze proteins, latex particles with superhydrophilic zwitterionic shells and superhydrophobic cores are synthesized by RAFT emulsion polymerization, and the applications of the latex particles in anti-freezing and anti-icing applications are investigated. In anti-freezing study, the critical aggregate temperature (CAT) of the latex particles decreases, and the separation of the melting and freezing temperature of ice increases with the particle concentration. Enzyme molecules can be cryopreserved in the presence of the latex particles; and their bioactivities are well maintained. Latex particles are casted into latex films with dynamic surfaces. Anti-icing performances including anti-frosting properties, freezing delay time and ice adhesion strengths, are studied; and the water-treated latex films present stronger anti-icing properties than other films, due to the synergistic effects of the superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic components. In addition, latex particles with zwitterionic shells and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) cores, and latex particles with small molecular surfactant on the surfaces are synthesized, respectively. The anti-freezing performances of the different latex particles and anti-icing properties of the latex films are compared. This research provides a facile and effective method for the synthesis of anti-freezing and anti-icing materials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.