Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized by Hyperbranched Poly(urea‐urethane)s by a One‐Pot Polycondensation

Abstract

Abstract Summary: Hyperbranched poly(urea‐urethane)‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT‐HPUs) have been synthesized by a one‐pot polycondensation of tolylene 2,4‐diisocyanate and diethanolamine in the presence of MWNTs terminated with multiple hydroxy groups. FT‐IR, Raman, 1 H NMR, and 13 C NMR spectra reveal that the HPU trees are covalently grafted onto the MWNT surfaces. After a high density of HPU trees (83.5 wt.‐%) is attached to the MWNTs, core‐shell nanostructures with MWNTs as the core and the HPU trees as the shell are formed. A loose and uniform nanotube network can be observed by TEM, SEM, and AFM. The resulting MWNT‐HPUs are soluble in polar solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamine, 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Hyperbranched poly(urea‐urethane)s functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. image Hyperbranched poly(urea‐urethane)s functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes.