Prediction and Evaluation of Styrenic Block Copolymers as Surface Modifiers for Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in α-Terpineol-Based Pastes

Abstract

A well-defined styrenic block copolymer was prepared through controlled/"living" radical polymerization technique and evaluated as a polymeric surface modifier for multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in R-terpineol-based paste. First, poly(maleic anhydride-co-p-acetoxystyrene)-block-poly(p-acetoxystyrene) copolymer was prepared through a nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) technique in an efficient "onepot" reaction. The copolymer was then functionalized with pyrene through an imidization reaction (SPM). Finally, p-acetoxystyrene units were converted to p-hydroxystyrene units through hydrolysis, affording pyrenefunctionalized poly(maleic acid-co-p-hydroxystyrene)-block-poly(p-hydroxystyrene) (HSPM). Pyrene units in one block afforded efficient attachment points to the surface of MWCNT through π-π interaction, while poly(p-hydroxystyrene) or poly(p-acetoxystyrene) tails afforded enhanced affinities with R-terpineol, as predicted by Hansen solubility parameter theory. Fabrications of electrodes through screen printing procedures employing MWCNT/HSPM or MWCNT/SPM pastes were facilitated through the surface modification of MWCNTs with the block copolymers, as evidenced by low viscosity, more homogeneous and smooth pastes, homogeneous/uniform MWCNT coatings, and low sheet resistance of the electrode.

Synthesis and characterization of pyrene bearing amphiphilic miktoarm star polymer and its noncovalent interactions with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

“…One attractive method reported by Dai and coworkers7 to overcome this problem is the physical introduction of a functional group on the surface of nanotubes by means of strong “π–π” stacking interactions, thus not only improving the solubility but also preserving nearly all intrinsic properties of CNT's could be attained. Therefore, the noncovalent attachment of aromatic moieties to the nanotube surface has been widely investigated, using conjugated polymers49–55 as well as the polymers containing polynuclear aromatic moiety such as pyrene,56–70 napthalene,71 and porphyrin 72…”

UV-cross-linked block copolymers for initiator-free, controlled in situ gelation of electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells

“…This author has reported a facile and scalable synthetic method to prepare functional oligomers by a controlled/''living'' polymerization technique (CRP). [31][32][33][34][35] This method yielded oligomers with block chain architecture, where the role and functionality of each segment was easily and precisely designed. The target UVcross-linker was synthesized through this CRP process.…”

Reactive Multidentate Block Copolymer Stabilization to Carbon Nanotubes for Thermoreversible Cross-Linked Network Gels

“…The furfuryl groups are designed to react with maleimide groups in polymaleimides through a Diels–Alder (DA) reaction to form thermally labile cross-linked networks, − while the pyrene groups physically anchor to the surface of carbon materials through π–π interactions. − As a proof-of-concept, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were chosen as a model nanomaterial to investigate our rMDBC stabilization strategy. CNTs have outstanding optical, electrical, and thermal properties. − The synthesis and use of MDBCs with pendant aromatic moieties to disperse carbon materials, including CNTs, in solutions have been described in several reports; − however, the rMDBC stabilization of CNT surfaces is rarely explored. As illustrated in Figure , the rMDBC enabled the stabilization of CNT surfaces to form colloidally stable rMDBC/CNT colloids.…”