仿生制备聚电解质防冰材料控制冰晶生长过程

Ice growth processes are mainly related to surface. Ice shaping, ice growth rate and ice recrystallization are all determined by the surface structures and properties. Ice shaping plays an important role on the taste of icecream and ice fresh food. Ice growth rate is a crucial factor in many techniques such as freeze-drying and cryotherapy. Ice recrystallization can have great impact on cryopreservation of cells and organs. Therefore, continuous efforts have been taken for understanding the mechanism of various ice growth processes. Inspired by the unique functions of AFPs on shaping ice crystals, inhibiting ice growth and recrystallization, rich varieties of polyelectrolyte materials have been developed to control ice formation. Considering practical applications and conditions, a correlation between the polyelectrolyte surface molecular structure and various AFP-inspired materials with different capabilities in controlling ice formation has been established experimentally and theoretically. We also design application-oriented materials in order to meet the needs of anti-icing and cryopreservation. This project which includes chemical, biological and water theories will inspire the design of unprecedented functional materials based on the controlled ice formation.

冰晶生长过程大多与界面相关，表面结构与性质决定了冰晶形貌、冰晶生长速率和冰重结晶效率。冰晶形貌是决定诸如冰激凌、冰鲜食品口感的关键因素；冰晶生长速率是冷冻干燥、冷冻治疗等技术实现的最重要参数；冰重结晶过程直接决定细胞与器官冷冻保存的成败。因此，如何控制冰晶生长过程一直以来都是基础科学研究热点。本项目拟通过对天然抗冻蛋白控制冰晶生长的研究，仿生构筑不同化学组成与物理结构的聚电解质表面，进而实现有效修饰冰晶形貌、控制冰晶生长速率与抑制冰重结晶的功能。综合考虑实际应用环境与条件，揭示聚电解质表面微观性质与冰晶生长过程之间的内在联系，并探索材料在防覆冰与生物冷冻保存领域中的应用。本项目是基于申请者综合化学、生物与水科学知识深入思考而提出的，其实施将促进仿生防冰材料研发更深层次的发展。

不可控的表面结冰现象广泛存在，经常导致高能耗甚至灾难性事故发生。针对我国在防结冰领域的重大应用需求，我们系统开展了表面冰成核与冰生长的研究工作，提出了以界面水为“桥梁”建立表面结构与防/除冰性能之间关系的新思路。本项目执行期间，我们揭示了界面水结构对冰成核及界面水动力学对冰生长的作用机制，实现了控冰表面冰成核与冰生长的有效调控，推动了防冰涂层在大型风力发电领域的应用。以第一及通讯作者发表SCI论文15篇，包括Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (1篇)、PNAS（1篇），CCS Chem ，Matter (1篇)等；入选中科院青年创新促进会计划。