Synthesis of poly(1-vinylimidazole)-block-poly(9-vinylcarbazole) copolymers via RAFT and their use in chemically responsive graphitic composites |
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| Authors: | Nicola Migliore Esteban Araya-Hermosilla Georg M. Scheutz Brent S. Sumerlin Andrea Pucci Patrizio Raffa |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical Engineering, ENTEG Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands;2. Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pontedera, Italy;3. George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA;4. Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy |
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| Abstract: | This study reports the synthesis of novel poly(1-vinylimidazole)-b-poly(9-vinylcarbazole) (PVI-b-PVK) block copolymers with varying monomer ratios using reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization and their incorporation in responsive composite materials. Specifically, non-covalent exfoliation of two different conductive fillers, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or reduced graphene oxide (rGO), was studied. The percolation threshold of the synthesized nanocomposites was dependent on the polymer used for dispersion, showing a better affinity of the fillers for block copolymers with higher relative carbazole content. Resistivity measurements showed selective variation in the resistance signal when the materials were exposed to various organic solvents and acids, providing a good basis for the design of sensing devices. |
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| Keywords: | block copolymers chemical sensors nanocomposites RAFT responsive materials |
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