Three dimensional graphene foam reinforced composite coating and deicing systems therefrom
An efficient deicing system is a silicone-graphene foam composite connected to a source of electrical energy for current promoted heating of the silicone-graphene foam composite. The deicing system can be constructed by infusion and curing a silicone resin infused into the graphene foam attached to electrical contacts. The deicing system can be attached to surfaces of an aircraft for rapid deicing of the aircraft.
1. A deicing system comprising a silicone-graphene foam composite connected to a source of electrical energy, wherein the graphene foam is continuous throughout the silicone-graphene composite and wherein the silicone-graphene foam composite is in the form of a free-standing system or a coating for a metal substrate.
2. The deicing system according to claim 1 , wherein the graphene foam comprises less than 2 percent by volume.
3. The deicing system according to claim 1 , wherein the graphene foam comprises at least 0.1 percent by volume.
4. The deicing system according to claim 1 , wherein the graphene foam is an interconnected graphene three-dimensional architecture with pore sizes of 100 to 300 μm in diameter.
5. The deicing system according to claim 1 , wherein the source of electrical energy provides a current of 0.8 A or less.
6. The deicing system according to claim 1 , wherein the source of electrical energy provides a current of 0.4 A or less.
7. The deicing system according to claim 1 , wherein the power density is 0.30 W·cm −2 or less.
8. The deicing system according to claim 1 , wherein the silicone of the silicone-graphene composite is the product of an addition cured polydimethylsiloxane resin.
9. The deicing system according to claim 1 , wherein the metal substrate is an aircraft component material.
10. A method of preparing a deicing system according to claim 1 , comprising:
providing a graphene foam;
attaching electrical contacts to the graphene foam;
providing a silicone resin:
infusing the silicone resin into and on the graphene foam to form a silicone infused graphene foam;
curing the silicone infused graphene foam to form a silicone-graphene foam composite;
applying the silicone-graphene foam composite to a metal substrate; and
connecting the electrical contacts to a source of electrical energy.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein curing is an addition curing.
12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein attaching is adhering with a silver paste.
13. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising surface treating the metal substrate.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the surface treating comprises grit blasting.
15. A method of deicing an aircraft, comprising applying an electrical current to an aircraft with a deicing system according to claim 1 attached to a portion of the external surface of the aircraft.
16. The method of claim 15 , where in the deicing system is a coating over the external surface of the aircraft.