Coating individual single-walled carbon nanotubes with nylon 6,10 through emulsion polymerization.
Solvent microenvironments are formed around individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by mixing SWNT suspensions with water-immiscible organic solvents. These microenvironments are used to encapsulate the SWNTs with the monomer sebacoyl chloride. Hexamethylene diamine is then injected into the aqueous phase so the formation of nylon 6,10 is restricted to the interface between the microenvironment and water. This emulsion polymerization process results in uniform coatings of nylon 6,10 around individual SWNTs. The nylon-coated SWNTs remain dispersed in the aqueous phase and are highly luminescent at pH values ranging from 3 to 12. This emulsion polymerization method provides a general approach to coat nanotubes with various polymers.
Chen
Wei-Chiang
WC
Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Center for Surface Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
Wang
Randy K
RK
Ziegler
Kirk J
KJ
D003959:Diamines / Q000737:chemistry; D004655:Emulsions; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008823:Micelles; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D003959:Diamines; D004655:Emulsions; D008823:Micelles; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009757:Nylons; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C045688:nylon 6-10; D014867:Water; C007297:1,6-diaminohexane