Evidence of sidewall covalent functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes and its advantages for composite processing

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were functionalized in a three-step procedure. The first step is a radical reaction creating a covalent bond between the carbon nanotube surface and grafted p-methoxyphenyl functional groups. In a second step, a deprotection of the methoxy functions generates...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Carbon (New York) 2009-02, Vol.47 (2), p.411-419
Main Authors: Vigolo, Brigitte, Mamane, Victor, Valsaque, Fabrice, Le, T.N.Ha, Thabit, Jaouad, Ghanbaja, Jaafar, Aranda, Lionel, Fort, Yves, McRae, Edward
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical chemistry
Carbon
Catalysis
Chemical Sciences
Chemistry
Coordination chemistry
Covalent bonds
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Dispersions
Exact sciences and technology
Fullerenes and related materials
diamonds, graphite
General and physical chemistry
Material chemistry
Materials science
Organic chemistry
Physics
Polymerization
Polymethyl methacrylates
Scanning electron microscopy
Single wall carbon nanotubes
Specific materials
Surface physical chemistry
Surface properties
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Summary:Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were functionalized in a three-step procedure. The first step is a radical reaction creating a covalent bond between the carbon nanotube surface and grafted p-methoxyphenyl functional groups. In a second step, a deprotection of the methoxy functions generates free alcohol groups and in the final step an esterification is done in order to install a double bond for further polymerization. Evidence that functionalization has actually occurred on the SWCNT sidewalls is furnished through investigations involving several complementary techniques (visual dispersion tests, transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis and adsorption volumetry). We show that surface properties of SWCNTs are changed throughout the chemical treatments and that the obtained level of functionalization is low. Incorporation of functionalized SWCNTs in a polymer (poly(methyl methacrylate)) matrix was done through an in situ polymerization process. Observations of the obtained composites using scanning and transmission electron microscopy illustrate that interactions between the SWCNT surface and the polymer matrix are improved.
ISSN:0008-6223
1873-3891
DOI:10.1016/j.carbon.2008.10.024