title: Azobenzene-based supramolecular polymers for processing MWCNTs.
abstract: Photothermally responsive supramolecular polymers containing azobenzene units have been synthesised and employed as dispersants for multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in organic solvents. Upon triggering the trans-cis isomerisation of the supramolecular polymer intermolecular interactions between MWCNTs and the polymer are established, reversibly affecting the suspensions of the MWCNTs, either favouring it (by heating, i.e. cis→trans isomerisation) or inducing the CNTs' precipitation (upon irradiation, trans→cis isomerisation). Taking advantage of the chromophoric properties of the molecular subunits, the solubilisation/precipitation processes have been monitored by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The structural properties of the resulting MWCNT-polymer hybrid materials have been thoroughly investigated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) and modelled with molecular dynamics simulations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Namur Research College (NARC), University of Namur (FUNDP), Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, Belgium.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maggini
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marangoni
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Georges
authors.forename: Joanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Malicka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoosaf
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minoia
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lazzaroni
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Armaroli
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonifazi
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007700:Kinetics; D008422:Materials Testing; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013818:Thermogravimetry / Q000379:methods; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; C009850:azobenzene