Graft copolymerization kinetics of acrylic acid onto the poly(ethylene terephthalate) surface by atmospheric pressure plasma inducement

After one atmospheric pressure plasma treatment of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film, acrylic acid (AAc) in aqueous solution was successfully graft‐copolymerized onto PET films. The effects of reaction time, AAc monomer concentration and reaction temperature on grafting behavior of AAc were systematically studied. Possible reaction kinetics of plasma‐induced graft copolymerization, starting from initial hydroperoxide decomposition, were proposed. Through the Arrhenius analysis about graft copolymerization kinetics of AAc monomers on PET surface, it was revealed that the activation energies of decomposition, propagation and termination were 98.4, 63.5, and 17.5 kJ/mol, respectively. The temperature around 80 °C was favorable not only for the formation of oxide radicals through the thermal decomposition of hydroperoxide on PET surface but also for the extension of graft copolymer chain through direct polymer grafting. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) grains grafted onto PET surfaces possessed relatively uniform size and both PAAc grain size and surface roughness increased with increasing the grafting degree of AAc. The increase of grain size with increasing grafting degree results from the possibility of forming long chain graft copolymers and their shielding of reactive sites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1594–1601, 2008     

Grafting of hyperbranched cyclotriphosphazene polymer onto silica nanoparticle and carbon black surfaces

The surface grafting of hyperbranched cyclotriphosphazene polymer onto silica nanoparticles and carbon black was investigated. The grafting of hyperbranched cyclotriphosphazene polymer onto these surfaces was achieved by the repeated reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with hexamethylenediamine from surface amino groups and sodium carboxylate groups, respectively. The percentage of grafting onto silica and carbon black surfaces exceeded 760 and 390%, respectively. However, it proved difficult to achieve the theoretical growth of cyclotriphosphazene polymer from these surfaces because of steric hindrance. The introduction of sulfonic acid groups was successfully achieved by the reaction of terminal chlorophosphazene groups of the hyperbranched polymer‐grafted silica and carbon black with sulfanilic acid. The content of sulfonic acid groups introduced onto silica and carbon black surfaces was 4.98 mmol/g and 5.70 mmol/g, respectively. The sulfonated cyclotriphosphazene polymer‐grafted carbon black was extremely hydrophilic, yielding stable colloidal dispersions in polar solvents. The sulfonated cyclotriphosphazene polymer‐grafted silica and carbon black showed ionic conductivity, with the conductance increasing exponentially with increasing relative humidity and temperature. This study may offer important leads in the application of silica nanoparticles and carbon black in polymeric membranes for fuel cells. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4218–4226, 2008     

Photografting of polymers onto nanosized silica surface initiated by eosin moieties immobilized onto the surface

The photograft polymerization of various vinyl monomers onto nanosized silica surfaces was investigated. It was initiated by eosin moieties introduced onto the silica surface. The preparation of the silica with eosin moieties was achieved by the reaction of eosin with benzyl chloride groups on the silica surface.These were introduced by the reaction of surface silanol groups with 4‐(chloromethyl)phenyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of t‐butyl ammonium bromide as a phase‐transfer catalyst. The photopolymerization of various vinyl monomers, such as styrene, acrylamide, acrylic acid, and acrylonitrile was successfully initiated by eosin moieties on the silica surface in the presence of ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and by oxygen. The corresponding polymers were grafted from the silica surface. The grafting efficiency (percentage of grafted polymer to total polymer formed) in the photoinitiation system was much larger than that in the radical polymerization initiated by surface radicals; these radicals were formed by the thermal decomposition of azo groups introduced onto the silica surface. It was found that the polymer‐grafted silica gave stable dispersions in good solvents of grafted polymer and the wettability of the surfaces can be easily controlled by grafting of polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 600–606, 2005     

Grafting of polyesters from carbon whisker surface: Copolymerization of epoxides with cyclic acid anhydrides initiated by COOK groups introduced onto the surface

To modify the surface of carbon whisker (vapor-grown carbon fiber) the grafting of polyesters by use of potassium carboxylate (COOK) groups introduced onto the surface was investigated. The introduction of COOK groups onto the carbon whisker was achieved by the treatment of surface carboxyl groups with KOH aqueous solution. Untreated carbon whisker has no ability to initiate the polymerization. It was found that the anionic ring-opening alternating copolymerization of epoxides with cyclic acid anhydrides is successfully initiated by COOK groups on the carbon whisker surface. The corresponding polyester was grafted onto the surface based on the propagation of polymer from COOK groups introduced on the surface. The percentage of grafting of the polyester from styrene oxide and phthalic anhydride was determined to be 91.0%. The polymerization rate and percentage of grafting increased upon addition of crown ether. Furthermore, the rate of polymerization increased with increasing the dielectric constant of the solvent, but the percentage of grafting decreased. Polyester-grafted carbon whisker was found to give a stable colloidal dispersion in a good solvent for the grafted polymer. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Scale-up synthesis of vinyl polymer-grafted nano-sized silica by radical polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by surface initiating groups in the solvent-free dry-system

For the purpose of the prevention of the environmental pollution and the simplification of reaction process, the scale-up radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto nano-sized silica surface initiated by azo groups and peroxycarbonate groups previously introduced onto the surface in the solvent-free dry-system was investigated. The introduction of azo groups onto the silica surface was achieved by the reaction of surface amino groups with 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid chloride). On the other hand, the introduction of peroxycarbonate groups onto the silica surface was achieved by Michael addition of surface amino groups to t-butylperoxy-2-methacryloyloxyethylcarbonate. The graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto the surface was successfully achieved by splaying monomers to nano-sized silica having azo and peroxycarbonate groups in solvent-free dry-system. It is interesting to note that the formation of ungrafted polymer was depressed in comparison with graft polymerization in solution: the grafting efficiency was 90-95%. In addition, in the solvent-free dry-system, the grafting of copolymer having pendant peroxycarbonate groups onto the nano-sized silica surface and the radical postgraft polymerization of styrene initiated by the pendant initiating groups of the grafted copolymer chain on the silica surface was investigated.     

Photografting of vinyl polymers onto ultrafine inorganic particles: Photopolymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by AZO groups introduced onto these surfaces

The photografting of polymers onto ultrafine inorganic particles, such as silica and titanium oxide, initiated by azo groups introduced onto these surfaces was investigated. The introduction of azo groups onto the particles was achieved by the reaction of 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) with surface isocyanate groups, which were introduced by the treatment with tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate. It was found that the photopolymerization of vinyl monomers, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene, and N-vinylcarbazole, is initiated by ultrafine particles having azo groups. The corresponding polymers were effectively grafted onto these surfaces through the propagation of the polymer from the surface radicals formed by the photodecomposition of the azo groups: e.g., the percentage of grafting of PMMA and polystyrene onto silica was reached to 112 and 176%, respectively. The percentage of grafting onto silica in the graft polymerization initiated by photodecomposition of surface azo groups was much larger than that initiated by thermal decomposition. Polymer-grafted ultrafine particles thus obtained gave a stable colloidal dispersion in good solvents for the grafted chain. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermo- and pH-responsive polypropylene microporous membrane prepared by the photoinduced RAFT-mediated graft copolymerization

Thermo- and pH-responsive polypropylene microporous membrane prepared by photoinduced reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) graft copolymerization of acrylic acid and N-isopropyl acrylamide by using dibenzyltrithiocarbonate as a RAFT agent. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR/FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to characterize the structural and morphological changes on the membrane surface. Results of ATR/FT-IR and XPS clearly indicated that poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) were successfully grafted onto the membrane surface. The grafting chain length of PAAc on the membrane surface increased with the increase of UV irradiation time, and decreased with the increase of the concentration of chain transfer agent. The PAAc grafted membranes containing macro-chain transfer agents, or the living membrane surfaces were further functionalized via surface-initiated block copolymerization with N-isopropyl acrylamide in the presence of free radical initiator, 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile. It was found that PNIPAAm can be grafted onto the PAAc grafted membrane surface. The results demonstrated that polymerization of AAc and NIPAAm by the RAFT method could be accomplished under UV irradiation and the process possessing the living character. The PPMMs with PAAc and PNIPAAm grafting chains exhibited both pH- and temperature-dependent permeability to aqueous media.     

SURFACE GRAFTING OF POLYESTERS ONTO ORGANIC PIGMENTS AND THEIR DISPERSIBILITY IN ORGANIC SOLVENT

To modify the dispersibility of an organic pigment, such as quinacridone and anthraquinone, in organic solvents, the surface grafting of polyesters onto organic pigments by the anionic ring-opening alternating copolymerization of epoxides with cyclic acid anhydrides initiated by potassium carboxylate (COOK) groups introduced onto these surfaces was investigated. The organic pigment having COOK groups was prepared by the following two methods: (a) the reaction of potassium carbonate with surface acyl chloride groups, which were introduced by the treatment of surface amino groups with adipoyl dich bride, and (b) the graft polymerization of potassium acrylate initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface. The anionic ring-opening alternating copolymerization of epoxides with cyclic acid anhydrides was initiated by COOK groups introduced onto the organic pigment surfaces to give the corresponding polyester-grafted organic pigments. The dispersibility of organic pigments in organic solvent was remarkably improved by the grafting of polyesters onto the surface.     

Encapsulation of silica nanoparticles by redox-initiated graft polymerization from the surface of silica nanoparticles

This study describes a facile and versatile method for preparing polymer-encapsulated silica particles by ‘grafting from’ polymerization initiated by a redox system comprising ceric ion (Ce⁴⁺) as an oxidant and an organic reductant immobilized on the surface of silica nanoparticles. The silica nanoparticles were firstly modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, then reacted with poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate through the Michael addition reaction, so that hydroxyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were covalently attached onto the nanoparticle surface and worked as the reductant. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a common hydrophobic polymer, and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), a thermosensitive polymer, were successfully grafted onto the surface of silica nanoparticles by ‘grafting from’ polymerization initiated by the redox reaction of Ce⁴⁺ with PEG on the silica surface in acid aqueous solutions. The polymer-encapsulated silica nanoparticles (referred to as silica@PMMA and silica@PNIPAAm, respectively) were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. On the contrary, graft polymerization did not occur on bare silica nanoparticles. In addition, during polymerization, sediments were observed for PMMA and for PNIPAAm at a polymerization temperature above its low critical solution temperature (LCST). But the silica@PNIPAAm particles obtained at a polymerization temperature below the LCST can suspend stably in water throughout the polymerization process.     

Radical Graft Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers Initiated by A20 Groups Introduced Onto a Carbon Black Surface: Effect of azo Groups on Graft Polymerization

The radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers from carbon black initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface was investigated. The introduction of azo groups onto carbon black surface was achieved by three methods: the reaction of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] (AIP) with (1) epoxide groups, which were introduced by the reaction of carbon black with chlorometh-yloxirane; (2) acyl chloride groups, which were introduced by the reaction of carboxyl groups on the surface with thionyl chloride; and (3) 3-chloroformyl-1-cyano-1-methylpropyl groups, which were introduced by the reaction of carbon black with 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) and then thionyl chloride. The amount of azo groups introduced onto the surface by the above methods was determined to be 0.07-0.19 mmol/g. The graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate was found to be initiated by azo groups introduced onto the carbon black surface. During the polymerization, poly(methyl methacrylate) was effectively grafted onto carbon black through propagation of the polymer from the radical produced on the surface by the decomposition of the azo groups. The percentage of grafting using carbon black having azo groups introduced by method 1 increased to 40%. It was also found that the graft polymerization of several vinyl monomers such as styrene, acrylonitrile, and acrylic acid was initiated by the azo groups introduced onto the surface and the corresponding polymer was effectively grafted onto the surface. Furthermore, the effect of the amount of carbon black having azo groups on the graft polymerization was investigated.     

Heat-Resistant Polymer-Grafted Carbon Black: Grafting of Poly(Organophosphazenes) onto Carbon Black Surface

Abstract

The grafting of poly(organophosphazenes) onto carbon black surface by the reaction of poly(dichlorophosphazene) (PDCP) with carbon black having sodium phenoxide groups was investigated. PDCP was prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of hexachlorocyclotriphos-phazene in solution using sulfamic acid as a catalyst. The introduction of sodium phenoxide groups onto carbon black was achieved by treatment of phenolic hydroxyl groups on the surface with sodium hydroxide in methanol. Poly(diphenoxyphosphazene) (PDPP) was successfully grafted onto carbon black by the reaction of PDCP with sodium phenoxide groups introduced onto the surface followed by the replacement of chlorine atoms in PDCP with phenoxy groups. The percentage of grafting onto carbon black increased to 206% at 30°C after 12 h. It was found that only 1.4% of sodium phenoxide groups on carbon black surface was used for the grafting of PDCP because of the blocking of the surface by grafted polymer chains. Poly(diaminophenylphosphazene) and poly-(diethoxyphosphazene) were also grafted onto carbon black surface by the treatment of PDCP-grafted carbon black with aniline and sodium ethoxide, respectively. Poly(organophosphazenes)-grafted carbon blacks produced stable colloidal dispersions in good solvents for grafted polymers. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis indicated that poly-(organophosphazenes)-grafted carbon blacks were stable in air about 300°C.     

Grafting epoxy-modified hydrophilic polymers onto poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic chip to resist nonspecific protein adsorption

In order to achieve a simple covalent hydrophilic polymer coating on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic chip, epoxy modified hydrophilic polymers were synthesized in aqueous solution with a persulfate radical initiation system, and crosslinked onto PDMS pretreated by oxygen plasma and silanized with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilanes (APTES). Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was copolymerized with acrylamide (poly(AAM-co-GMA)) or dimethylacrylamide (poly(DAM-co-GMA)), and graft polymerized with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-g-GMA) or polyvinylalcohol (PVA-g-GMA). The epoxy groups in the polymers were determined by UV spectra after derivation with benzylamine. Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) confirmed covalent grafting of GMA-modified polymers onto PDMS surface. Electroosmotic flow (EOF) in the polymer grafted microchannel was strongly suppressed within the range pH 3-11. Surface adsorption of lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was reduced to less than 10% relative to that on the native PDMS surface. On the GMA-modified polymer coated PDMS microchip, basic proteins, peptides, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) denatured proteins were separated successfully.     

纳米羟基磷灰石表面接枝聚合左旋丙交酯

为了改善HA纳米粒子与有机PLGA的相容性,分别采用六亚甲基二异氰酸酯加乙二醇、左旋乳酸改性纳米粒子表面后或直接原位接枝聚合左旋丙交酯等3种不同方法,制备了表面修饰聚乳酸的纳米羟基磷灰石(PLLA-g-HA).FTIR、XPS、TEM、TGA测试表明PLLA成功接枝到HA的表面.其中六亚甲基二异氰酸酯加乙二醇改性HA纳米粒子所获得的PLLA接枝率远高于其它两种方法达25%,调整有机相和无机相的比例对PLLA接枝率的影响较小,其在氯仿中可以稳定分散2天以上.共混电纺丝后的拉伸测试表明PLLA-g-HA/PLAG复合纤维膜的力学性能高于HA/PLGA膜,当两者之间的比例为5%拉伸性能达到最大值.     

Effective grafting of polymers onto ultrafine silica surface: Photopolymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by the system consisting of trichloroacetyl groups on the surface and Mn2(CO)10

The effective grafting of vinyl polymers onto an ultrafine silica surface was successfully achieved by the photopolymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by the system consisting of trichloroacetyl groups on the surface with Mn₂(CO)₁₀ under UV irradiation at 25 °C. The introduction of trichloroacetyl groups onto the surface of silica was achieved by the reaction of trichloroacetyl isocyanate with surface amino groups, which were introduced by the treatment of silica with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane. During the polymerization, the corresponding polymers were effectively grafted onto the surface, based on the propagation of polymer from surface radicals formed by the interaction of trichloroacetyl groups and Mn₂(CO)₁₀. The percentage of poly(methyl methacrylate) grafting onto the silica reached 714.6% after 90 min. The grafting efficiency (proportion of grafted polymer to total polymer formed) in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate was very high, about 80%, indicating the depression of formation of ungrafted polymer. Polymer‐grafted silica gave a stable colloidal dispersion in good solvents for grafted polymer. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2157–2163, 2001     

Radical grafting from glass fiber surface: Graft polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface

This paper describes the radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers from glass fiber surface initiated by alkylazo groups introduced onto the fiber surface. The introduction of azo groups onto the glass fiber surface was achieved by reaction of isocyanate groups which were previously attached onto the surface with two kinds of azo initiators, 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) (ACPA) and 2,2′-azobis(2-cyanopropanol) (ACP). The amounts of surface azo groups introduced by ACPA and ACP were both determined to be 1.3 × 10⁻⁵ mol g⁻¹ by nitrogen analysis. The radical graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was found to be initiated in the presence of the glass fiber having surface azo groups. During the polymerization, part of resultant poly(MMA) grafted onto the fiber surface through propagation of the polymer from the surface radicals produced by the decomposition of the azo groups. The percentage of grafting of poly(MMA) reached 48.1% after 24 h. The graft polymerizations of other monomers, such as styrene, N-vinylcarbazole, and acrylic acid, were also initiated by the surface azo groups, and the corresponding polymer effectively grafted onto the surface. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2121–2128, 1999     

Functionalization of hydrogen-terminated silicon via surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization and derivatization of the polymer brushes

Surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (PEGMA) was carried out on the hydrogen-terminated Si(100) substrates with surface-tethered alpha-bromoester initiator. Kinetic studies confirmed an approximately linear increase in polymer film thickness with reaction time, indicating that chain growth from the surface was a controlled "living" process. The "living" character of the surface-grafted PEGMA chains was further ascertained by the subsequent extension of these graft chains, and thus the graft layer. Well-defined polymer brushes of near 100 nm in thickness were grafted on the Si(100) surface in 8 h under ambient temperature in an aqueous medium. The hydroxyl end groups of the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains of the grafted PEGMA polymer were derivatized into various functional groups, including chloride, amine, aldehyde, and carboxylic acid groups. The surface-functionalized silicon substrates were characterized by reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Covalent attachment and derivatization of the well-defined PEGMA polymer brushes can broaden considerably the functionality of single-crystal silicon surfaces.     

Radiation induced graft polymerization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes for superhydrophobic composite membrane preparation

Highly soluble multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by radiation-induced free radical graft polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) onto pristine MWNT surfaces. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to confirm that poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) had been successfully grafted onto the surface of the MWNTs. The effects of experimental parameters on the degree of grafting (DG) of PVAc were also investigated, including adsorbed dose, dose rate, initial monomer concentration, and solvents. The grafted MWNTs (MWNTs-g-PVAc) exhibited good solubility in common organic solvents at high mass fraction. In addition, a superhydrophobic composite membrane could be readily fabricated by vacuum filtration of MWNTs-g-PVAc onto a supporting membrane, as was confirmed by water contact angle testing and visualization by scanning electron microscopy.     

Characterization of poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) thin films grafted from functionalized titanium surfaces

Biointegration of titanium implants in the body is controlled by their surface properties. Improving surface properties by coating with a bioactive polymer is a promising approach to improve the biological performance of titanium implants. To optimize the grafting processes, it is important to fully understand the composition and structure of the modified surfaces. The main focus of this study is to provide a detailed, multitechnique characterization of a bioactive poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (pNaSS) thin film grafted from titanium surfaces via a two-step procedure. Thin titanium films (～50 nm thick with an average surface roughness of 0.9 ± 0.2 nm) prepared by evaporation onto silicon wafers were used as smooth model substrates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) showed that the titanium film was covered with a TiO(2) layer that was at least 10 nm thick and contained hydroxyl groups present at the outermost surface. These hydroxyl groups were first modified with a 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) cross-linker. XPS and ToF-SIMS showed that a monolayer of the MPS molecules was successfully attached onto the titanium surfaces. The pNaSS film was grafted from the MPS-modified titanium through atom transfer radical polymerization. Again, XPS and ToF-SIMS were used to verify that the pNaSS molecules were successfully grafted onto the modified surfaces. Atomic force microscopy analysis showed that the film was smooth and uniformly covered the surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that an ordered array of grafted NaSS molecules were present on the titanium surfaces. Sum frequency generation vibration spectroscopy and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy illustrated that the NaSS molecules were grafted onto the titanium surface with a substantial degree of orientational order in the styrene rings.     

Grafting of polymers with controlled molecular weight onto ultrafine silica surface

To graft polymers with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution, the grafting of polymers onto ultrafine silica surface by the termination of living polymer cation with amino groups introduced onto the surface was investigated. The introduction of amino or N-phenylamino groups onto the silica surface was achieved by the treatment of silica with γ-aminopropyltriethxysilane or N-phenyl-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. It was found that these amino groups on silica are readily reacted with living poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) (polyIBVE), which was generated with CF₃COOH/ZnCl₂ initiating system, and polyIBVE with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution is grafted onto the surface. By the termination of living poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline), which was generated with methyl p-toluenesulfonate initiator, with amino groups on silica, polyMeOZO was also grafted onto the surface. The percentage of grafting of polymer onto the silica surface decreased with increasing molecular weight of the living polymer, because the steric hindrance of silica surface increases with increasing molecular weight of living polymer. Polymer-grafted silica gave a stable dispersion in a good solvent for grafted chains. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation of poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile)‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

The in situ grafting‐from approach via atom transfer radical polymerization was successfully applied to polystyrene, poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile), and polyacrylonitrile grafted onto the convex surfaces of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with (2‐hydroxyethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate) as an initiator. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that effective functionalization was achieved with the grafting approach. The grafted polymers on the MWCNT surface were characterized and confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Raman and near‐infrared spectroscopy revealed that the grafting of polystyrene, poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile), and polyacrylonitrile slightly affected the side‐wall structures. Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the carbon nanotube surface became rough because of the grafting of the polymers. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that the polymers grafted onto MWCNTs showed higher glass‐transition temperatures. The polymer‐grafted MWCNTs exhibited relatively good dispersibility in an organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 460–470, 2007