Routes to the synthesis of carbon nanotube–polyacetylene composites by Ziegler–Natta polymerization of acetylene inside carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We present a route to synthesize polyacetylene filled multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MCNT) by in situ polymerization. We use supercritical carbon dioxide to fill the nanotubes with toluene and then add the Ziegler–Natta catalyst. In order to assure controlled polymerization inside the nanotube, the catalyst outside is removed before the reaction. The resulting polyacetylene filled nanotubes are characterized by 1H NMR and scanning electron microscope.