Resorcinol-functionalized carbon nanoparticles with a stick-out nanostructure for stable hydrogen bonding with polyester microfibers

Abstract

We report new functionalized carbon nanoparticles (C_NPs) featuring a stick-out nanostructure that delivers strong hydrogen bonding with polar groups in polymer chains. To make the stick-out nanostructures with hydroxyl groups, bromoresorcinols were used to react with the double bonds of C_NPs by atom transfer radical reaction (ATRR). The resorcinol-bound C_NPs (C_NP-RCs) were characterized by solid-state proton nuclear magnetic spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. C_NP-RCs were extremely well dispersed and stable (>6 months) compared to the original C_NPs which precipitated in less than 60 h. High resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements disclosed that the characteristic particle shape and fine nanostructure of the original C_NPs were almost unchanged during the ATRR process. We found that the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) microfibers was almost fully covered with the C_NP-RC material by employing a double soaking process at 130 °C. The resulting C_NP-RC-bound PET microfibers in fabrics exhibited excellent washing and rubbing resistance and outstanding deodorizing properties against ammonia gas. Hence, the present stick-out nanostructured C_NP-RCs are expected to be a breakthrough in widening the application of carbon nanoparticles in terms of environmentally friendly processes using water and product-level stability.