Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hold the promise of delivering exceptional mechanical properties and multi-functional characteristics. Ever-increasing interest in applying CNTs in many different fields has led to continued efforts to develop dispersion and functionalization techniques. To employ CNTs as effective reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites, proper dispersion and appropriate interfacial adhesion between the CNTs and polymer matrix have to be guaranteed. This paper reviews the current understanding of CNTs and CNT/polymer nanocomposites with two particular topics: (i) the principles and techniques for CNT dispersion and functionalization and (ii) the effects of CNT dispersion and functionalization on the properties of CNT/polymer nanocomposites. The fabrication techniques and potential applications of CNT/polymer nanocomposites are also highlighted.

Dispersion and functionalization of carbon nanotubes for polymer-based nanocomposites: a review

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

We developed two-step solution-phase reactions to form hybrid materials of Mn3O4 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets for lithium ion battery applications. Mn3O4 nanoparticles grown selectively on RGO sheets over free particle growth in solution allowed for the electrically insulating Mn3O4 nanoparticles wired up to a current collector through the underlying conducting graphene network. The Mn3O4 nanoparticles formed on RGO show a high specific capacity up to ~900mAh/g near its theoretical capacity with good rate capability and cycling stability, owing to the intimate interactions between the graphene substrates and the Mn3O4 nanoparticles grown atop. The Mn3O4/RGO hybrid could be a promising candidate material for high-capacity, low-cost, and environmentally friendly anode for lithium ion batteries. Our growth-on-graphene approach should offer a new technique for design and synthesis of battery electrodes based on highly insulating materials.

Mn3O4-Graphene Hybrid as a High Capacity Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

Keywords: Fragmentation Chain-Transfer ; Self-Assembled Monolayers ; Walled Carbon Nanotubes ; Well-Defined Polymer ; Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization ; Block-Copolymer Brushes ; Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Brushes ; Transfer Raft Polymerization ; Quartz-Crystal Microbalance ; Poly(Acrylic Acid) Brushes Reference EPFL-REVIEW-148464doi:10.1021/cr900045aView record in Web of Science Record created on 2010-04-23, modified on 2017-05-10

Polymer Brushes via Surface-Initiated Controlled Radical Polymerization: Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, and Applications

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/768408.pdf

Mechanical properties of graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites

Physical and chemical characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotubes functionalized with aminosilane and its influence on the properties of natural rubber composites

Thermal, mechanical and electroactive shape memory properties of polyurethane (PU)/poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/CNT nanocomposites

Surface functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) an important graphene precursor using alkylamines of varying chain lengths followed by thermal treatment resulted in the formation of superhydrophobic surfaces. Alkylamines consisting of hydrophobic long chain alkyl groups and hydrophilic amine groups were chemically reacted to the GO surface via two types of reactions viz. (i) amidation reaction between amine groups and carboxylic acid sites of GO and (ii) nucleophilic substitution reactions between amine and epoxy groups on GO surface. Successful grafting of alkylamines was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Alkylamine-modified GO surfaces showed enhanced roughness, and this effect was more pronounced with increasing amine chain length. Water contact angle measurements revealed that the hydrophobic nature of graphene depended on the chain length of the grafted alkylamines, and this fact may be corroborated to the decrease in the surface energy values. Our results indicate that superhydrophobic graphene films can be produced by thermal treatment of hexadecylamine- and octadecylamine-grafted GO films. These results will provide valuable guidance for the design and manufacture of graphene-based biomaterials, medical instruments, structural composites, electronics, and renewable energy devices.

Synthesis, characterization, and surface wettability properties of amine functionalized graphene oxide films with varying amine chain lengths

Functionalization of montmorillonite clay has been done using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane in the presence of various solvent media. Qualitative evidence of the presence of aminosilane attached to the clay platelets have been identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 29Si and 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Grafting yield has been calculated using thermogravimetric analysis and total grafting yield increases with the solvent surface energy. X-ray diffraction studies of the silane functionalized montmorillonite clay exhibits two peaks, which may be attributed to intercalation and surface interaction with the broken edge platelets. Functionalized clay has been characterized by surface area measurements to understand the influence of solvents on the surface area of the functionalized clay.

Influence of dispersing medium on grafting of aminopropyltriethoxysilane in swelling clay materials

Influence of long-chain alkylamine-modified graphene oxide on the crystallization, mechanical and electrical properties of isotactic polypropylene nanocomposites

Sung Hun Ryu

Papers

Physical and chemical characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotubes functionalized with aminosilane and its influence on the properties of natural rubber composites

Thermal, mechanical and electroactive shape memory properties of polyurethane (PU)/poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/CNT nanocomposites

Synthesis, characterization, and surface wettability properties of amine functionalized graphene oxide films with varying amine chain lengths

Influence of dispersing medium on grafting of aminopropyltriethoxysilane in swelling clay materials

Influence of long-chain alkylamine-modified graphene oxide on the crystallization, mechanical and electrical properties of isotactic polypropylene nanocomposites