A convenient route to modified multiwall carbon nanotubes with liquid crystal molecules via covalent functionalization

Abstract

A novel nanocomposite of the rod-like liquid crystal (LC) molecules' waist positions anchored on the surface (sidewalls and ends) of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was prepared by using a dissolving metal reduction method for the first time. The MWNTs carbanion complexes of lithium were first synthesized in tetrahydrofuran with an electron transfer from lithium naphthalene radical anion on the surface of MWNTs. Then the novel material (LC-MWNTs) was obtained by treating the carbanion complexes with bromic liquid crystalline aromatic amide compound. The formation of the LCMWNTs was confirmed by both Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. HRTEM demonstrates that the rod-like LC molecules are anchored on the surface of MWNTs via covalent attachment, with a wrapped thickness approximately 3-4 nm. The loss-weight fraction of the LC layers for the LC-MWNTs can be roughly estimated as 23% by TGA. The experiments of solubility exhibit that the LCMWNTs forms a stable suspension solution in polar solvents such as dimethylformamide.

Hybrid materials of pyrene substituted phthalocyanines with single-walled carbon nanotubes: structure and sensing properties

“…In fact, hybrids have better solubility in comparison with bare CNTs which make them more attractive for different applications. [4][5][6][7] Their lms can therefore be deposited more easily by simple solution processing methods such as dipdropping and spin coating methods. Hybrids have more advanced electrochemical properties and high sensitivity to various gases or liquids, faster response and relaxation times.…”

Structure of a carbon nanotube–dendrimer composite

“…[13][14][15][16][17] However, processing CNTs and introducing them into real applications is severely limited by their low solubilities in organic solvents. In the recent past, two general strategies have been explored for improving the CNT solubility: (i) covalent functionalization of sp 2 carbons at the sidewalls with organic molecules [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] and (ii) non-covalent functionalization through supramolecular interactions [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] (e.g. p-p stacking interactions).…”

Highly thermal conductive benzoxazine‐epoxy interpenetrating polymer networks containing liquid crystalline structures

“…The obtained solution was extracted four times with 1 L of chloroform. After the chloroform extracts were dried and evaporated, a gray solid was obtained . The yield of 2, 5‐diaminotoluene was 68 %.…”