Synthesis and characterization of an organic soluble and conducting polyaniline‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotube core–shell nanocomposites by emulsion polymerization

Abstract

AbstractOrganic soluble and conducting polyaniline (PANI)‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ emulsion polymerization. Dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) acted as both a dopant and emulsifier, and phenylamine groups grafted on the surface of the MWNTs via amide bonding joined in the in situ polymerization. As self‐assembly templates, multiwalled carbon nanotubes containing phenylamine groups (p‐MWNTs) were encapsulated by PANI to form a homogeneous core (p‐MWNTs)–shell (DBSA‐doped PANI) nanostructure. The attachment of soluble DBSA‐doped PANI chains on the surface of the p‐MWNTs via covalent bonding rendered the p‐MWNTs compatible with the polymer matrix and led to the nanocomposite being highly soluble and stable in tetrahydrofuran. The PANI chains grew restrictively on the surface of the p‐MWNTs, and the crystalline orders of the PANI coatings were enhanced. Because of the incorporation of the p‐MWNTs, the thermal stability of the nanocomposites was improved, and the conductivity of the nanocomposites at room temperature was increased by at least one order of magnitude over neat DBSA‐doped PANI. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010