Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the mechanical, thermal and colour properties of solvent-containing two-component polyurethane (PU) coating. Design/methodology/approach Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and observation of dispersion stability were used to assess the effects of acid treatment on CNTs. The CNTs and PU composite coating was synthesised by in situ polymerisation and bending polymerisation, and the mechanical, thermal and colour appearance properties of coating were characterised. Findings It was found that desirable modifications to CNTs occurred after acid treatment; thus, mainly carboxylic acid groups were introduced onto the surface of CNTs. And the acid-treated CNTs could improve the mechanical and thermal properties of PU coating, and the properties of composite coating was improved more successfully by in situ polymerisation than by blending polymerisation. Practical implications The investigation established a method to synthesise CNTs and PU composite coating. The mechanical and thermal properties of PU coating could be improved by the inclusion of CNTs. Originality/value This study established a method to synthesise CNTs and PU composite coating by in situ polymerisation and blending polymerisation; the effects of CNTs on modifying mechanical, thermal and colour properties of PU coating were investigated and compared in detail.
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