Chemical and mechanical resistance of waterborne polyurethane/graphene (WPU/GO) nanocomposite coatings

Abstract

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) coatings used for moisture protection of surfaces have been used broadly. They have been considered environmentally friendly because their synthesis releases less or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the atmosphere. With the Covid-19 pandemic concerns, cleaning protocols of these surfaces have been applied and scientific knowledge about the effects of these liquids on WPU surfaces is necessary. In this work, diffusion experiments were performed using four liquids, in pure WPU and WPU filled with graphene oxide (GO). Detergent had the most severe effect on polyurethane films, causing severe cracks and weight loss. Diffusion parameters of HCl 5% and HCl 10% were greater in WPU/GO nanocomposites than in pure WPU. Mechanical tests under chemical aging showed that alcohol reduced most the tensile strength and Young modulus. Overall, GO protected the films for all liquid exposures, increasing their tensile strength and Young modulus.