Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites via Noncovalent Grafting with End-Functionalized Polymers

Abstract

Polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites were fabricated with end-functionalized polymers as dispersants. End-functionalized polymers having amine or carboxylic acid were noncovalently grafted to multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs). The functional groups of the polymers interacted with the defect sites of purified MWNTs through zwitterionic interactions or hydrogen bonding. This approach provided both an improved dispersion state of MWNTs in an organic solution and polymer matrix and good interfacial adhesion between MWNTs and a matrix. Physical properties, such as the electrical resistivity and mechanical strength, of polystyrene/MWNT nanocomposites were greatly improved through this simple noncovalent functionalization. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 110: 2345-2351, 2008