Active Poly(4‐chloromethyl styrene)‐Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Concentrated nitric acid-treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are functionalized with active poly(4-chloromethyl styrene) (PCMS) through the esterifi cation reaction of the carboxyl groups of the former and the p-benzyl chloride groups of the latter in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst. Characterization using Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrates that the active PCMS chains are chemically tethered onto the side walls (or surfaces) of the MWCNTs. The core-shell nanostructure of active PCMS-modifi ed MWCNTs (MWCNT-PCMS) can be observed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and the amount of PCMS present is 31.3 wt% by thermogravimetric analysis. Solubility testing shows that MWCNT-PCMS dissolves well in tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, toluene, and N,N-dimethylformamide, and the maximum nanotube concentration in toluene is 413 mg L − 1 .

Synthesis and adsorption study of hyper-crosslinked styrene-based nanocomposites containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes

“…In order to obtain this result, a CNT modication strategy was adopted, aimed at graing a poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC) resin onto the surface of the nanotubes. 49 PVBC was also selected for the surface modication of MWCNT because the resulting MWCNT-PVBC, through their surface chloromethyl groups, could be able to react with the precursor resin during the hyper-crosslinking step.…”

“…Carboxyl groups modied multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) were functionalized by graing their external surfaces with poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC). 49 PVBC was obtained by solution polymerization using the following procedure. VBC (5 mL) was poured in a round-bottom ask lled with toluene (10 mL).…”

Simple Process for Sidewall Modification of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Polymer Side Chain Radicals Generated by Ultraviolet-Induced C–Cl Bond Dissociation of Polystyrene Derivatives

“…Bond formation between poly-CMSt and CNTs has been attempted also by Chen et al [29]; they conducted the esterification between poly-CMSt and carboxylated CNTs by utilizing a phase-transfer catalyst. However, their method required the oxidation of CNTs with nitric acid prior to the bond formation.…”