title: Surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes via esterification using a biodegradable polyol.
abstract: Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were surface modified firstly oxidizing them with a H2SO4/HNO3 mixture to obtain more reactive carboxylic groups on their surface and then higher functionality. Secondly the oxidized nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) were dispersed in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and made react via esterification with a poly(hexamethylene carbonate-co-caprolactone)diol, a potentially biodegradable polyol with hydroxyl groups at its ends. Modification process steps were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FT-IR, ultraviolet spectroscopy, UV, solubility in different solvents, thermo-gravimetric analysis, TGA, as well as atomic force microscopy, AFM. Results suggest that surface carboxylic groups are reactive enough to graft polymer chains onto their surface.
authors.affiliation: 'Materials+ Technologies' Group, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Eskola Politeknikoa, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Pza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fernandez d'Arlas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goyanes
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Rubiolo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mondragon
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Corcuera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eceiza
mesh_terms: D004951:Esterification; D005663:Furans / Q000737:chemistry; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005663:Furans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011091:Polyesters; C545166:poly(hexamethylene carbonate-co-caprolactone)diol; C018674:tetrahydrofuran