Development and characterization of transparent waterborne polyurethane acrylate/fullerenols thin-film nanocomposite as thermal-insulating coating

Thermal-insulating coating can lower the energy consumption and cooling costs, which caters to the tendency of environmental protection and energy conservation. Transparent waterborne polyurethane acrylate thin-film nanocomposite was developed by incorporating the fullerenol C60(OH)12(ONa)2 into the system using ultrasonic dispersion. The thin-film nanocomposite was then synthesized by ultraviolet radiation curing and chemical crosslinking, and its morphology and chemical structures were characterized. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal gravity were used to evaluate the thermal stability. The surface and mechanical properties were tested by the pendulum hardness and MEK resistance. The optical and thermal-insulating properties were assessed by the ultravioletvisible-near infrared spectrophotometer and indoor environmental simulation experiment. The thermal-insulating measurements showed that the glass coated thin-film nanocomposite possessed better thermal-insulation effect than empty glass.