Preparation, characterization, and properties of disulfide-containing polyethyleneimine grafted carbon nanotubes

ABSTRACT

Novel functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared by grafting disulfide-containing polyethyleneimine (SSPEI) to CNTs. The SSPEI were synthesized by Michael addition between cystamine bisacrylamide and low molecular weight branched 1.8 kDa PEI. Three SSPEI grafted carbon nanotubes (CNTs-SSPEI) were successfully prepared through grafting SSPEI to CNTs. The grafted ratios were 32.26%, 43.11%, and 51.50%, respectively. Moreover, the grafted ratio could be tuned by adjusting the CNTs/SSPEI ratio during the process of preparation. The CNTs-SSPEI was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The CNTs-SSPEI showed better dispersability and stability in water than CNTs. In addition, the SSPEI on the surface of CNTs-SSPEI could be degraded in the presence of dithiothreitol.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon nanotubes
• polyethyleneimine
• functionalized
• dispersability
• gene vector

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51503165) and Scientific research program of Hubei Provincial Department of Education, China (No. Q20141509). Science Foundation of Wuhan Institute of Technology (No.11115031).