Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Grafted Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes via a Combination of RAFT and Alkyne-Azide Click Reaction

Wenzhong Ma,Haicun Yang,Lingxiang Guo,Zhiwei Zhu,Jing Zhong,Yanping Xia,Yuchen Zhao,Fanghong Gong,Zheng Cao

doi:10.3390/app9030603

Wenzhong Ma, Haicun Yang + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app9030603

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Journal: Applied Sciences	Publication Date: Feb 12, 2019
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Changzhou University

Abstract

An efficient synthesis route was developed for the preparation of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanohybrids using azide-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) via a combination of reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and the click reaction. A novel azido-functionalized chain transfer agent (DMP-N3) was prepared and subsequently employed to mediate the RAFT polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The RAFT polymerizations exhibited first-order kinetics and a linear molecular weight dependence with the conversion. The kinetic results show that the grafting percentage of PMMA on the MWCNTs surface grows along with the increase of the reaction time. Even at 50 °C, the grafting rate of azide-terminated PMMA is comparatively fast in the course of the click reaction, with the alkyne groups adhered to MWCNTs in less than 24 h. The successful functionalization of PMMA onto MWCNT was proved by FTIR, while TGA was employed to calculate the grafting degree of PMMA chains (the highest GP = 21.9%). Compared with the pristine MWCNTs, a thicker diameter of the MWCNTs-g-PMMA was observed by TEM, which confirmed the grafted PMMA chain to the surface of nanotubes. Therefore, the MWCNTs-g-PMMA could be dispersed and stably suspended in water.

Highlights

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have brought us the excellent development of many novel categories of functional materials and have become remarkable fields of study [1,2]
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have acquired increasing importance and popularity in membrane science and technology due to their high permeability and selectivity, which they owe to the rapid flux through the hollow interior and nano-scale diameter of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [3,4,5,6,7]
The multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) hybrid nanostructure and composite materials with the introduction of polymer chemistry have dramatically attracted attention [8,9]. These nanocomposite materials complement the characteristics of functional polymers and provide improved nano-scale dispersing, hydrophilicity, electric properties, etc

Summary

Introduction

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have brought us the excellent development of many novel categories of functional materials and have become remarkable fields of study [1,2]. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have acquired increasing importance and popularity in membrane science and technology due to their high permeability and selectivity, which they owe to the rapid flux through the hollow interior and nano-scale diameter of CNTs [3,4,5,6,7]. The MWCNT hybrid nanostructure and composite materials with the introduction of polymer chemistry have dramatically attracted attention [8,9]. These nanocomposite materials complement the characteristics of functional polymers and provide improved nano-scale dispersing, hydrophilicity, electric properties, etc.

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Conclusion