title: Rational Design of Multiamphiphilic Polymer Compatibilizers: Versatile Solubility and Hybridization of Noncovalently Functionalized CNT Nanocomposites.
abstract: The design of amphiphilic polymer compatibilizers for solubility manipulation of CNT composites was systematically generalized in this study. Structurally tailored multiamphiphilic compatibilizer were designed and synthesized by applying simple, high-yield reactions. This multiamphiphilic compatibilizer was applied for noncovalent functionalization of CNTs as well as provided CNTs with outstanding dispersion stability, manipulation of solubility, and hybridization with Ag nanoparticles (NPs). With regard to the dispersion properties, superior records in maximum concentration (2.88-3.10 mg/mL in chloroform), and mass ratio of the compatibilizer for good CNT dispersion (36 wt %) were achieved by MWCNTs functionalized with a multiamphiphilic block copolymer compatibilizer. In particular, the solubility limitations of MWCNT dispersion in solvents ranging from toluene (nonpolar) to aqueous solution (polar) are surprisingly resolved by introducing this multiamphiphilic polymer compatibilizer. Furthermore, this polymer compatibilizer allowed the synthesis of the hybrid CNT nanocomposites with Ag nanoparticles by an in situ nucleation process. As such, the multiamphiphilic compatibilizer candidate as a new concept for the noncovalent functionalization of CNTs can extend their use for a wide range of applications.
authors: †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.|‡Materials Architecting Research Center, Korea Institute of Science Technology, 39-1 Hawolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Korea.
authors: Kie Yong
authors: KY
authors: Cho
authors: †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
authors: Yong Sik
authors: YS
authors: Yeom
authors: †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
authors: Heun Young
authors: HY
authors: Seo
authors: †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
authors: Young Hun
authors: YH
authors: Park
authors: ‡Materials Architecting Research Center, Korea Institute of Science Technology, 39-1 Hawolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Korea.
authors: Ha Na
authors: HN
authors: Jang
authors: ‡Materials Architecting Research Center, Korea Institute of Science Technology, 39-1 Hawolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Korea.
authors: Kyung-Youl
authors: KY
authors: Baek
authors: †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
authors: Ho Gyu
authors: HG
authors: Yoon
keywords: amphiphilic block copolymer; carbon nanotube; hybrid composites; nanocomposites; noncovalent functionalization; solubility manipulation