Effect of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes on weather degradation and corrosion of waterborne polyurethane coatings

A series of waterborne polyurethane/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (WBPU/f-MWCNT) nanocomposite dispersions was prepared using three defined concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt% carboxyl functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs). All dispersions were coated on mild steel and exposed under natural weather condition for a maximum of 365 days. Both exposed and unexposed coatings were characterized by potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The pristine WBPU coating showed slight degradation and corrosion protection. Inclusion of a higher content of f-MWCNTs significantly improved both the degradation and corrosion protection efficiencies of the coatings. Maximal degradation and corrosion protection was observed when 2.0 wt% f-MWCNT was mixed with WBPU for all of the coatings.