Development of Cellulose-Reinforced Polyurethane Coatings: A Novel Eco-Friendly Approach for Wind Turbine Blade Protection

Wind energy is considered a clean source and predicted to be one of the primary sources electricity. However, leading-edge erosion wind turbine blades due impacts from rain drops, solid particles, hailstones, bird fouling, ice, etc., major concern for sector that reduces annual production. Therefore, protection has been an important topic research development in last 20 years. Further, there are critical issues related amount waste produced, including glass fiber, carbon various harmful volatile organic compounds fabrication their end-of-life phases. Hence, it vital use eco-friendly, solvent-free materials extend blade life make perfect source. In this study, cellulose microparticles (CMP) microfibers (CMF) have used as fillers reinforce water-based polyurethane (PU) coatings developed on fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) substrates by simple spray method first time. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images show agglomerated particles CMP fiber-like morphology CMF. Fourier transform infrared spectra CMP, CMF, exhibit associated C–H, C=O, N–H absorption bands polyurethane. Thermal gravimetric analysis shows stable up 285 °C, whereas CMF degradation observed at 243 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy C 1s O core levels C–C/C–H, C–O, C–OH, O–C=O bonds with structure. The particle resistance properties evaluated different concentrations impact angles 30° 90°, all outperform PU bare GFRP substrates. Three-dimensional (3D) profiles scans confirm shape scars, 2D calculate volume loss erosion. CMP-reinforced coating 5 wt.% filler concentration CMF-reinforced 2 found best-performing against Nanoindentation studies performed establish relation between H3/E2 average rate coatings.