Highly efficient, multi-functional anti-icing compositions and methods of their use are provided. Anti-icing compositions include hydrogels configured to form thin film coatings on various surfaces via spin coating under UV irradiation. Multifunctional anti-icing platforms are based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-grafted polyelectrolyte hydrogels. Methods for grafting hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chains onto a hydrophilic polyelectrolyte network containing various counterions, forming a multifunctional hybrid anti-icing hydrogel are also provided.