Functionalization of carbon nanotubes by surface-initiated immortal alternating polymerization of CO2 and epoxides

Abstract

A surface-initiated immortal alternating polymerization of CO₂ and epoxides was presented on the solid materials. By means of rapid and reversible chain transfer, surface-initiated immortal CO₂–propylene oxide copolymerization was carried out on the surface of oxidized carbon nanotubes at room temperature. The content and thickness of the functional moieties could be facilely controlled by adjusting the feed ratio of the catalysts to propylene oxide. The modification featured was with a high grafting weight fraction above 90%. The functionalized carbon nanotubes were characterized with FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, SEM, TEM and TGA. Moreover, the flexible conductive films can be easily fabricated according to the their high dispersion in organic solution. Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were incorporated into a polycarbonate matrix to improve the mechanical properties.