Optically active polyurethane (OPU) and racemic polyurethane (RPU) derived from chiral and racemic tyrosine were synthesized using a hydrogen transfer addition polymerization procedure. The structural and optical properties of the polyurethanes were systematically investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), UV-vis spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction techniques. In contrast to RPU, OPU possesses a single-handed helical conformation and optical activity owing to the induced asymmetric force field in the chiral monomer. This regular secondary structure facilitates the formation of numerous interchain hydrogen bonds, which increases the crystallinity and thermal stability of OPU. The high-temperature infrared spectroscopy results indicate that the hydrogen bonding collapses before thermal decomposition. In contrast to the intense infrared emissivity property of random coiled RPU, both helical stereostructures and hydrogen bonding contribute to decreasing this emissivity for OPU.

•Optically active prepolymer capped with isocyanate end groups was synthesized.•OPU/TiO2/MnO2 multilayered core–shell nanorods were prepared.•Infrared emissivity value decreased after the coating.Multilayered optically active polyurethane/titania/manganese dioxide (OPU/TiO2/MnO2) nanohybrids were prepared and characterized. The MnO2 nanorods were coated by TiO2 with the thickness around 15 nm, and the amount of OPU grafted onto TiO2/MnO2 was about 0.21 g/g inorganics. OPU/TiO2/MnO2 nanorods possess well defined multicoated core–shell architectures. Compared with the bare MnO2, the infrared emissivity values decreased after the wrapping, indicating a potential for practical application. Interfacial interactions, crystallinity and helical secondary structure of OPU significantly affected the infrared radiation property of the nanocomposites.