Fabrication of conducting poly(3-thiophene boronic acid)-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes by oxidative polymerization

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2012 Jan;12(1):754-9. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2012.5375.

Abstract

Composite materials of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and a conducting polymer, poly(3-thiophene boronic acid) (PTBA) were prepared by in-situ oxidative polymerization of TBA in the presence of MWNTs and potassium dichromate. The MWNTs which were previously surface functionalized with acid chloride groups were reacted with TBA using a simple "chemical grafting" technique. It was observed that the nanotubes were dispersed uniformly in the pi-conjugated polymer matrix and entrapped by the polymer. The conductivity of the composites was higher than that of the pure polymer from a conventional four-probe technique, which indicates that the fabrication of MWNTs into the polymer matrix significantly improves the conductivity of the polymer due to the intrinsic properties of MWNTs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Butyrates / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Particle Size
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Sulfides / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • 4-(phenylthio)butanoic acid
  • Butyrates
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Polymers
  • Sulfides