Covalently functionalized carbon nanotubes as macroinitiators for radical polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Single‐walled carbon nanotubes were functionalized along their sidewalls with hydroxyalkyl groups using a radical addition scheme. These moieties were found to be active in the polymerization of acrylic acid from the surface of the nanotubes by a redox radical mechanism. The resulting polymerized nanotubes were analyzed by UV–Vis, XPS, Raman and SEM techniques. The composite material was found to be soluble in aqueous media (pH > 5) and polar organic solvents. The reported grafting technique is expected to be suitable for industrial production of modified carbon nanotubes. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)