Toward sustainable and durable liquid-infused surfaces: a review of lubricant-depletion mitigation strategies

Abstract

Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) are widely used in various fields, including anti-icing and de-icing, metal corrosion prevention, and bio-antimicrobial applications, due to their excellent hydrophobicity, self-cleaning properties, and corrosion resistance. However, the infused lubricant in SLIPS is prone to depletion over time due to factors such as evaporation, dissolution, shear-induced displacement, and cloaking effects, ultimately leading to surface failure. In response to this issue, this review systematically summarizes the mechanisms of lubricant loss and strategies to reduce the loss. It begins with an in-depth analysis of lubricant loss based on the design principles of slippery surfaces, followed by three key solutions: optimization of the porous structure of the substrate, improvement of the lubricant infusion method, and reasonable selection of the lubricant. Additionally, it innovatively proposes that lubricant selection categorizes slippery surfaces into two distinct types: liquid slippery surfaces and solid slippery surfaces. This review offers new perspectives for future research direction of SLIPS, focusing on developing low-cost, environmentally friendly, durable, and intelligent lubricated surfaces for practical applications while ensuring their long-term stability under extreme conditions.