Toward Multi-Functional Road Surface Design with the Nanocomposite Coating of Carbon Nanotube Modified Polyurethane: Lab-Scale Experiments

A novel multi-functional road surface system is designed to improve safety, the efficiency of traffic flow, and environmental sustainability for future transportation systems. The surface coating, preforming temperature detection with heating element and hydrophobic features, were fabricated with a nanocomposite consisting of carbon nanotube (CNT) modified polyurethane (PU). The CNT/PU coating showed higher electrical conductivity as well as enhanced hydrophobic properties as the CNT concentration increased. The multifunctional properties of CNT/PU coatings were investigated for use in freezing temperature sensing and heating. The CNT/PU coatings showed high temperature sensitivity in the freezing temperature range with a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. In addition, the CNT/PU coatings had excellent heating performance due to the Joule heating effect. Therefore, the proposed CNT/PU coatings are promising for use as multifunctional road coating materials for detection of freezing temperature and deicing by self-heating.