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

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P>Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were effectively functionalized with KMnO<SUB>4</SUB> 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. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4413–4420, 2007</P>
<B>Graphic Abstract</B>
<P>MWNTs were effectively functionalized with KMnO<SUB>4</SUB> with the aid 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 on MWNTs were used to fabricate polystyrene brushes. Finally, polystyrene-encapsulated MWNTs were obtained by simple in situ solution polymerization.</P><P>
<img src='wiley_img/0887624X-2007-45-19-POLA22190-gra001.gif' alt='wiley_img/0887624X-2007-45-19-POLA22190-gra001'>
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