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The fire-resistant & waterproof coatings for wood protection are highly demanded to reduce fire risk and save lives because wooden furniture and in-house decorations are widely used in our daily life. Herein, an eco-friendly and facile method was proposed to prepare such coatings, where a waterborne polyurethane (WPU) with non-volatility was blended with commercial flame retardants. A coating of ∼250 μm could generate charcoal of ∼10 mm that the painted plywood could withstand burning for ∼20 min. For the purpose to turn the hydrophilic WPU into water-repellent coating, hydrophobic nano-SiO 2 were sprayed onto the surface to assemble into hierarchical structure. Consequently, the coating showed strong water repellency and the water contact angle arose from ∼89° to ∼157°. This method is conducive to the industrial production of fire-resistant and waterproof coatings due to its green and easy-to-scale up features, which will benefit thousands of households. [Display omitted] • A universal method for fire-resistant and waterproof coating is proposed. • This method is green, low cost, effective and easy to be scale-up. • Plywood painted by an ∼250 μm coating can withstand burning for 20 min. • The painted surface is strongly water repellent that water contact angle is >150°. • The coating is suitable for protection of wood and other combustible substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the feasibility of improving the mechanical properties of a high solid content UV-curable acrylic coating system through the addition of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) was examined. The CNC was rendered hydrophobic by using a cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA), to make it compatible with the matrix polymer and facilitate proper dispersion. Two different amounts (1 and 3%) of modified CNC were added to the coating system. Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of coating films were affected positively by the addition of CNC. Hardness, measured both by König pendulum and pencil methods, was found to increase as CNC loading increased in the coatings. Mass loss due to abrasion resistance tests was reduced by the addition of CNC. The results of this research showed that CNC is an ideal reinforcing nanoparticle which can positively affect the mechanical performance of coating systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]