Self-organized grafting of carbon nanotubes by end-functionalized polymers

Abstract

A variety of end-functionalized polymers were grafted spontaneously onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) using a solution mixing process. The end-functional groups of the polymers underwent noncovalent grafting to the defect sites at the surface of the purified MWNTs through zwitterionic interaction or hydrogen bonding. The physically grafted polymers including polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylene oxide (PEO), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) provided sufficient compatibility with an organic solvent or polymer matrix, such that the nanotubes could be finely dispersed in various organic media. This approach is universally applicable to a broad range of polymer-solvent pairs, ensuring highly dispersed carbon nanotubes through simple solution mixing.