A Simple Polymerizable Polysoap Greatly Enhances the Grafting Efficiency of the “Grafting-to” Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

A simple polymerizable polysoap was synthesized for the functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by “grafting to” method, which greatly enhances the grafting efficiency (i.e., the ratio between the quantity of grafted polymer and the total polymerized monomer). Self-assembly of MWNT...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inMacromolecules Vol. 43; no. 23; pp. 9635 - 9644
Main Authors Peng, Mao, Liao, Zhangjie, Zhu, Zhongming, Guo, Honglei
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington, DC American Chemical Society 14.12.2010
Subjects
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Organic polymers
Physicochemistry of polymers
Polymers with particular structures
Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts
Methacrylic acid esters
Surface reaction
Hydroxyester
Dispersion degree
Epoxy resin
Carbon nanotubes
Maleic derivative copolymer
Experimental study
Methyl methacrylate copolymer
Esterification
Crosslinked copolymer
Functionalized nanotube
Chemical modification
Multiwalled nanotube
Dynamic mechanical properties
Morphology
Preparation
Maleic anhydride copolymer
Nanocomposite
Radical copolymerization
Filler
Graft polymers
Styrene copolymer
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:A simple polymerizable polysoap was synthesized for the functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by “grafting to” method, which greatly enhances the grafting efficiency (i.e., the ratio between the quantity of grafted polymer and the total polymerized monomer). Self-assembly of MWNTs with the polysoaps in a 1,4-dioxane/water mixture results in the formation of micellized MWNTs; then, by a single step of polymerization of the polysoaps or copolymerization of the polysoaps with methyl methacrylate (MMA), the polymer layer of the micellized MWNTs is permanently cross-linked and covalently bonded to the nanotube surface. For the poly(polysoap-co-MMA) modified MWNTs, the grafting efficiency can be as high as 65.7%. The functionalized MWNTs are robust, readily redispersible in water and some organic solvents, and increase the dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy resin more effectively than oxidized or noncovalently modified MWNTs.
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma101953h