The aim of the project is to improve the performance of heat exchangers through the application of a superhydrophobic coating that enhances corrosion protection and prevents ice formation on the surface. The coating will be only a few hundred nanometers thick and suitable for application on aluminum surfaces. Such heat exchangers (comprising evaporators/coils) are widely used in refrigeration systems, including household refrigerators and freezers.
The project is carried out by a consortium of two Slovenian research organizations and two industrial partners:
- Jožef Stefan Institute, involving three departments:
- Department of Physical and Organic Chemistry (IJS-K3),
- Department of Nanostructured Materials (IJS-K7),
- Department of Materials Synthesis (IJS-K8);
- University of Ljubljana:
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (Chair of Thermal and Process Engineering, UL-FS),
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology (Chair of Inorganic
Chemistry, UL-FKKT);
- FerroČrtalič (FČ);
- Hisense Gorenje Group.
The project is structured into several stages, including surface pretreatment, coating synthesis and deposition, laboratory testing, performance evaluation under real conditions, and optimization of freezer operation.
Surface pretreatment involves laser and chemical processes aimed at surface texturing and the formation of a conversion layer that protects aluminum and its alloys from corrosion. Coating synthesis includes the preparation of SiO₂ nanoparticles, their functionalization with various organosilanes, and their incorporation into an innovative hybrid sol–gel coating based on silane–siloxane chemistry. The superhydrophobic coating will be applied by spraying or dip-coating.
The anti-icing effect is expected to reduce the energy consumption of heat exchangers, aligning the project with modern sustainability goals and energy-efficient technologies.
