Multi‐Layer Graphene Modified Polyimide Composite Coating for Wind Turbine Blade Anti‐/Deicing

ABSTRACT In this study, an improved impregnation method was employed by adding graphene (GE) as a conductive reinforcement into the polyimide (PI) to modify the composite coating. An organic silicon coating was covered on its surface to synthesize a multi‐layer composite coating with electric heating and hydrophobic functions intergradations. The average electric heating temperature could reach up to 162°C within 240 s, and the water contact angle would be stable at 106° ± 0.5°. The deicing experiment showed that the ice could be obviously melted in the environment of −15°C. A water film formed on the interface and fell off from the surface of the coating, which showed well deicing performance. The results showed that the electrothermal radiation conversion efficiency could attain as high as 58.5%. Due to its excellent electrical heating and hydrophobic performance, we expect that the multi‐layer GE/PI composite coating could be widely used in electronic equipment, anti‐icing, and deicing.