Preparation and Properties of Smart Nano-Materials from Thermo-Sensitive Polymer Grafted Carbon Nanotubes

摘要

In this research work, a smart nano-material whose solubility can be controlled in water solution as well as responding to thermal conditions was investigated. Thermo-sensitive polymer was synthesized from peroxyester (POE) groups onto a carbon nanotube (CNT) surface by trapping radicals. The dispersibility of polymer-grafted CNT in a good solvent of grafted polymer chain was also investigated. In addition the thermal sensitive properties of composite CNT were evaluated. Untreated CNT precipitated after 30 seconds, conversely polyNIPAM grafted CNT gave a stable dispersion in good solvent for 60 minutes. Solubility of CNT was drastically improved by grafted polymer chains on the surface and PolyNIPAM-grafted CNT was significantly aggregated at 35°C as the function of thermo-sensitive polymer. It appeared that the solubility of PolyNIPAM grafted CNT was controlled by external thermo energy.