Abstract
The aim of this study is to avoid or reduce the risks of biofouling of ship hulls, using polyurethane/γ‐irradiated functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (PU/FMWCNT) nanocomposites as a coating for wood. These nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and hardness, adhesion, and bending of the coated samples were examined. The antifouling ability of PU/γ‐irradiated FMWCNTs was studied by using an algae test. FTIR proved the presence of COOH group on the surface of MWCNT, while the FESEM results showed good dispersion of FMWCNT in polyurethane matrix. Mechanical properties of the coated wooden samples were improved; the samples showed good hardness and very good adhesion, and reasonable flexural modulus. The antifouling property of the coatings showed that 0.1 and 0.2 wt% FMWCNTs immobilized on polyurethane composite and irradiated for 100 kGy, were the most efficient antifouling coat when immersed in Chlorella vulgaris microalgae. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1196–E1207, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers