Synthesis of polystyrene brush on multiwalled carbon nanotubes treated with KMnO4 in the presence of a phase‐transfer catalyst

Abstract

AbstractMultiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were effectively functionalized with KMnO4 in the presence of a phase‐transfer catalyst at room temperature. The hydroxyl functionalized MWNTs were reacted with a vinyl‐group carrying silane‐coupling agent and the terminal vinyl groups were used to fabricate polystyrene (PS) brushes by solution polymerization. Finally, PS‐encapsulated MWNTs were obtained. The synthesis results were verified from FT‐Raman, thermal gravimetric analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, and transmission electron microscope. PS‐encapsulated MWNTs had much improved dispersion stability in hydrophobic medium, toluene since grafted hydrophobic PS interacts with media and has improved compatibility. This functionalization technique would provide a facile route to prepare various polymer brushes on the surface of MWNTs to improve the dispersion of MWNTs for potential applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4413–4420, 2007