A novel polyurethane coating with triple functions: Superhydrophobicity, self-healing and electroconductibility

Single functional polymers are no longer to meet the current needs of industrial applications, and then there is an urgent need to conduct research on multifunctional polymer materials. Herein, we prepared a polyurethane (PU) coating with triple functions (superhydrophobicity, self-healing and electroconductibility). Firstly, PU/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites with self-healing function were prepared. Then, the surfaces of hydroxylated CNTs were modified by coupling agents with low surface energy. Finally, the modified CNTs were sprayed on the surface of the PU/CNT nanocomposite sample. This PU coating contains two layers (the PU substrate layer and the modified CNT layer), and has superhydrophobicity (the water contact angle is 151.7°), self-healing ability (the self-healing efficiency reaches 100.47% at 60 °C for 1 h) and electroconductibility. Simulation results revealed that fluorine atoms on the surfaces of the modified CNTs can participate in the formation of hydrogen bonds.