Abstract
We report a sequential functionalization methodology for the covalent modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with one and a half repeat units of the polymer polyp-phenyleneterephthalamide (PPTA), Kevlar. Covalent attachment of PPTA monomer units, p-phenylenediamine (PDA) and terephthaloyl chloride (TPC), to the surface of MWNTs results in PPTA oligomer units forming an organic sheath around the nanotubes, PPTA-functionalized-MWNTs (PPTA-MWNTs). PPTA-MWNTs possess chemical functionality identical to that of PPTA, and thus provide nanoscale scaffolds which may be readily dispersed within a monomer solution and participate in the polymerization reaction to form a PPTA-MWNT/PPTA composite. We show that formation of PPTA in the presence of PPTA-MWNTs leads to a uniform dispersion of MWNTs within the polymer matrix, in contrast to aggregated masses of MWNTs in the case of pristine-MWNTs. The covalent attachment of oligomeric PPTA units to the surface of MWNTs represents the formation of a functional nanoscale building block which can be readily dispersed and integrated within the polymer PPTA to form a novel composite material. The implications of tuning the surface chemistries of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to the chemistry of host polymer matrices are considered.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2164-2171 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Chemistry of Materials |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 23 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- General Chemical Engineering
- Materials Chemistry