title: Single-step in situ synthesis of polymer-grafted single-wall nanotube composites.
abstract: An in situ composite synthesis technique has been developed by grafting polystyrene chains onto single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) via a single-step debundling/polymerization scheme. The method, based on established anionic polymerization techniques, eliminates the need for nanotube pretreatment prior to functionalization and allows attachment of polymer molecules to pristine tubes without altering their original structure. The composites obtained contain well-dispersed SWNTs with good nanotube-matrix interaction. The scheme is quite general in nature and can be applied to different polymer systems. The simplicity and scalability of the process can lead to the realization of superior nanotube-based polymer composites for applications as advanced multifunctional structural materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, USA.
authors.forename: Gunaranjan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viswanathan
authors.forename: Nirupama
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chakrapani
authors.forename: Hoichang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Bingqing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Hyunsoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Kilwon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Chang Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Pulickel M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ajayan