Surface modification of single-walled carbon nanotubes and their use in the polymerization of acrylic monomers

Figures & data

Figure 1. Surface modification of SWCNT with 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenylidene via in situ formation of a diazonium salt.

Figure 2. Thermogram of the SWCNT modified with 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-phenylidene.

Figure 3. Proposed mechanism of thermolysis 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-phenylidene during the thermogravimetric analysis.

Figure 4. Thermogram of the nanotubes functionalized with 4-(2-bromo-2-methyl propanoate of 2-hidroxyethyl phenylidene.

Figure 5. Mechanism of thermolysis of the SWCNT surface functionalized with 4-(2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate of 1-hidroxyethyl) phenhylidene.

Figure 6. FT-IR of the SWCNT surface functionalized with 4-(2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate of 1-hidroxyethyl) phenylidene.

Figure 7. ATRP polymerization of acrylic monomers on the surface of SWCNT.

Table 1. Experimental conditions for the polymerization of acrylic monomers on the SWCNT surface.

Monomer	[M]	[HMTETA]	[I0] = CuBr2 = 1	[(SnEH)2]
MMA	71	1	1	0.25
MMA	205	1	1	0.25
GMA	112	2	1	–
GMA	220	2	1	–
GMA	180	2	1	–
Bu A	262	1	1	0.25

Note: ^aI₀ = Initiator on the surface of the SWCNT.

Table 2. Results of the polymerization of acrylic polymers on the SWCNT surface.

Monomer	Yield (%)	Theoretical Mn (g/mol)	Mn^a (g/mol)	Polymer (%)	SWCNT (%)
MMA	58	4126	4094	81	14
MMA	50	10,270	9866	91	6.5
GMA	65	10,346	9974	92	6.5
GMA	90	28,139	27,343	97	2.5
GMA	88	20,294	19,128	95	3.5
BuA	80	29,788	33,611

Notes: ^a Calculated form the TGA analysis Mn = ([A−B]/[B]) × C where A is the weight loss between 100 and 400 °C, B is the calculated concentration of the ATRP initiator and C is the molecular weight of the monomer.

Figure 8. TEM micrograph of the surface of SWCNT modified poly(methyl methacrylate).

Figure 9. CP-MAS of SWCNT modified with poly(methyl methacrylate).