Synthesis of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-grafted carbon nanotube by alkyne- azide click reaction.

Abstract

P3HT-grafted SWNTs were synthesized at mild condition by using Cu (I)-Catalyzed [3+2] Huisgen cycloaddition reaction and thiol-ene reaction. P3HT-grafted SWNT were characterized by solubility test, FT-IR, RAMAN, XPS, TEM, and TGA. The introduction of covalent functionalization of P3HT to SWNTs resulted in enhanced dispersion of SWNT. P3HT-grafted SWNTs were dispersed well in organic solvents such as THF, CHCl3 and chlorobenzene. TEM analysis clearly showed the presence of polymer- coated SWNTs .The present method of click reaction coupled with thiol-ene reaction with P3HT is a promising route for functionalization of SWNT.