Polystyrene grafted carbon black synthesis via in situ solution radical polymerization in ionic liquid

Abstract

DENKA BLACK/polystyrene nanocomposites (DB/PS) were successfully prepared through a facile strategy. Some of the styrene molecules were grafted and polymerized onto the surface of the DB via the in situ free radical addition process in ionic liquid, and others selfpolymerized and coated on the polystyrene grafted DB. The ionic liquid improves the grafting percentage because of its high viscosity. The electrical properties of polymer composites before and after the grafting were measured. It was found that the electrical conductivity of the DB/PS composites decreased with increasing amounts of monomer styrene and initiator 2, 2′-azobis (isobutyronitrile) (AIBN). The microstructure, morphology and thermal properties of the composites were characterized by Fourier transforminfrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The results proved that the polystyrene had been successfully grafted onto the DB surface.

Grafting Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with Polystyrene to Enable Self-Assembly and Anisotropic Patchiness

“…Finally, a representative TGA curve for MWCNT-O-PS (green curve in Figure 1) shows three clear variations in weight under air flow, if compared with the pristine counterparts. The first drop occurs between 270 °C and 380 °C and is produced when the polystyrene chains grafted to the nanotubes are decomposed; this interval of temperature is in accordance with the literature 22,26 for PS grafted to different types of carbon materials through covalent procedures. The second weight loss starts at ca.…”

“…TGA drops in mass are used to calculate the stepwise yields of chemical modification of the nanotubes. 22,23,25,26 FT-IR is used to confirm the presence of reactive functional groups introduced to the nanotubes. TEM is used to confirm anisotropic self-assembly of polymer-grafted nanotubes against pristine counterparts.…”

Ionic Liquids as Solvents and/or Catalysts in Polymerization

“…This is attributed to the high viscosity of ILs favoring stabilization and prolonging the lifetime of polymer radicals towards grafting over the carbon black surface. Also, the percentage of grafting was higher in ILs compared to organic solvents [16,17]. In numerous occasions ILs were successfully employed as surfactant as well as solvent in radical dispersion polymerization.…”

Polymerization in Ionic Liquids

“…Enhanced grafting of polystyrene onto carbon black was achieved by in situ free radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of carbon black due to the high viscosity of the ionic liquid solvent (51). New RTILs with hydrolytically stable anions as alternatives to hexafluorophosphate and tetrafluoroborate salts in free radical polymerization were studied (52).…”