Influence of surface modification of carbon nanotubes on interactions with polystyrene‐b‐polyisoprene‐b‐polystyrene matrix and its photo‐actuation properties

Abstract

The influence of various surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on preferential interactions with individual phases of the linear triblock copolymer polystyrene‐b‐polyisoprene‐b‐polystyrene (SIS) and the photo‐actuation ability, reproducibility, and stability of the composite was investigated. The preferential interactions of MWCNT were achieved with covalent modification of MWCNT surface either with cholesteryl groups (MWCNT‐chol) or with short polystyrene chains (MWCNT‐PS). The specific interactions were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis. The activation energy of glass transition of the polystyrene phase in the MWCNT‐PS/SIS composite increased significantly compared with the neat SIS matrix, while the incorporation of MWCNT‐chol resulted in selective increase of activation energy of glass transition of the polyisoprene phase. The best reproducible and stable photo‐actuation behavior was obtained during irradiation of the composite containing low content of MWCNT‐PS. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.