Surface modification of carbon nanotubes with dendrimers or hyperbranched polymers

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of increasing interest to scientists because of their unique electronic, chemical and mechanical properties. However, the poor solubility in solvents limits the manipulation of CNTs and hampers their applications in many promising fields. Surface modification of CNTs with polymers is an efficient method to solve this problem. In comparison with linear polymers, dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers are highly branched macromolecules with three-dimensional architecture, and they have good solubility, low melt viscosity, and extremely high density of functional groups at the surface. By surface modification with dendrimers or hyperbranched polymers, the solubility of CNTs could be improved greatly. Moreover, the resultant composites can be endowed with novel properties by further functionalization, which enlarges the applications of CNTs. This review makes emphasis on discussing the methods for functionalization of CNTs with dendrimers or hyperbranched polymers, meanwhile, the unique properties and potential applications of the resultant composites are also summarized in an attempt to facilitate the progress in this interesting area.