Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were modified with polystyrene
(PS) using
self-initiated photografting photopolymerization. In order to optimize
their utilization in CNT/polymer nanocomposites, a thorough characterization
of their dispersions in solvents is of key importance. Using small-angle
scattering, we have studied the effect of the modification on the
agglomeration behavior in dilute toluene dispersions. Whereas small-angle
X-ray scattering gives overall information, small-angle neutron scattering
together with the use of deuterated solvents highlights the polymer
shells or the CNTs. The structure of the CNTs and their agglomerates
were modeled as fractal aggregates of homogeneous or core–shell
cylinders for single- and multiwalled CNTs, respectively. In this
way, we have characterized the dispersibility of the CNTs as well
as the thickness of the shell formed by the grafted polymers in dependence
on the time of polymerization.
We describe a facile and direct method for the functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes with 4’-substituted phenyls and biphenyls. By means of Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis we demonstrate that a simple protocol of a direct chemical grafting in acetonitrile solution of the corresponding diazonium salts at room temperature results in a formation of stable aryl monolayers on carbon nanotubes.
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