Carbon nanotube–polymer composites: Chemistry, processing, mechanical and electrical properties

3.1.1. Covalent Interactions 1355 3.1.2. Noncovalent Interactions 1356 3.1.3. π-π Stacking 1356 3.1.4. Electrostatic Interactions 1357 3.2. In Situ Synthesis Directly on the CNT Surface 1358 3.2.1. Electrochemical Techniques 1358 3.2.2. Sol-Gel Process 1361 3.2.3. Hydrothermal and Aerosol Techniques 1363 3.2.4. Gas-Phase Deposition 1364 3.3. Comparison of Synthesis Techniques 1368 4. Properties and Potential Applications of CNT-Inorganic Hybrids 1368

Carbon Nanotube−Inorganic Hybrids

Multiwall carbon nanotube elastomeric composites: a review

Surface modifications for the effective dispersion of carbon nanotubes in solvents and polymers

Conducting polymer functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes with noble metal nanoparticles: Synthesis, morphological characteristics and electrical properties

A qualitative and rapid measurement technique based on multiple light scattering was employed to analyze the dispersion stability of black multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) suspensions. Pristine and chemically oxidized CNTs were dispersed in various polar and nonpolar solvents. The change in the transmission of near-infrared light from the suspensions was periodically measured along the height of a sample cell at room temperature. Using this method, it was possible to obtain the variation of the dispersion stability within only a day. Pristine and surface-modified CNTs dispersed in nonpolar media aggregated within 2 h and sedimentation progressively proceeded with time. As the polar component of the solubility parameter and the solubility in water decreased, faster aggregation and severe sedimentation occurred and vice versa. When the CNTs were modified with carboxylic anion groups, the dispersibility in polar solvents was significantly enhanced due to the combination of polar–polar affinity and electrostatic repulsion, with the result that the transmission flux remained unchanged. The origin of electrostatic repulsion can be found from the increased zeta potential and conductivity of CNTs with carboxylic anion groups.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0957-0233/18/12/005/pdf

Measurement of the dispersion stability of pristine and surface-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes in various nonpolar and polar solvents

Fabrication of silica nanotubes using silica coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as the template

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were effectively functionalized with KMnO 4 in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst at room temperature. The hydroxyl functionalized MWNTs were reacted with a vinyl-group carrying silane-coupling agent and the terminal vinyl groups were used to fabricate polystyrene (PS) brushes by solution polymerization. Finally, PS-encapsulated MWNTs were obtained. The synthesis results were verified from FT-Raman, thermal gravimetric analysis, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and transmission electron microscope. PS-encapsulated MWNTs had much improved dispersion stability in hydrophobic medium, toluene since grafted hydrophobic PS interacts with media and has improved compatibility. This functionalization technique would provide a facile route to prepare various polymer brushes on the surface of MWNTs to improve the dispersion of MWNTs for potential applications.

Synthesis of polystyrene brush on multiwalled carbon nanotubes treated with KMnO4 in the presence of a phase‐transfer catalyst

Encapsulation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by poly(4-vinylpyridine) and its dispersion stability in various solvent media

A novel approach to fabricate polymer brushes on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is proposed. Carboxyl groups on the surface of chemically oxidized CNTs were reacted with hexamethylene diisocyanate, followed by a reaction with methacrylamide to give terminal vinyl groups-functionalized CNTs, so called "CNT-mer." The synthetic procedure was investigated step-by-step and the synthesized CNT-mer was used to grow polystyrene (PS) from CNTs by a simple in situ polymerization in the presence of a thermal initiator. By employing 1 H NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and light scattering, the experimental results were verified. Using this approach, 45% PS with respect to CNTs are grafted on the surface of CNTs with about 4.0 nm thickness. This novel technique would provide a facile route to prepare tailormade polymer brushes on the surface of CNTs.

Myunghun Kim

Papers

Measurement of the dispersion stability of pristine and surface-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes in various nonpolar and polar solvents

Fabrication of silica nanotubes using silica coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as the template

Synthesis of polystyrene brush on multiwalled carbon nanotubes treated with KMnO4 in the presence of a phase‐transfer catalyst

Encapsulation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by poly(4-vinylpyridine) and its dispersion stability in various solvent media

A novel synthesis of polymer brush on multiwall carbon nanotubes bearing terminal monomeric unit