Polyurethane-based nanocomposite film with thermal deicing capability and anti-erosion for wind turbine blades protection in extreme environments

Abstract

In some high-altitude areas, solid particle erosion and ice accretion on the wind turbine blades may reduce the power generation efficiency. In view of this, a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane@carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelet composite film with rapid electrothermal deicing performance and excellent solid particle erosion resistance was prepared via a simple “spray-hot pressing” method. With a low filler content (2 wt%), the film can heat up to 96.5 °C at 9 V, showing a rapid deicing (150 s). Additionally, it exhibits outstanding photothermal performance (reaching 74.2 °C at 100 mW cm⁻²) that can assist in deicing and anti-icing. Furthermore, the solid particle erosion resistance has been improved with a low erosion rate of 0.20%. Due to the unique sandwich structure, the film has a high tensile strength and elongation at break, reaching 48.5 MPa and 795.0%, respectively. This work provides a simple approach to protect wind turbine blades in extreme environments.