Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes with Derivatized Polyimide

Abstract

Single-walled and multiple-walled carbon nanotubes were functionalized with derivatized\npolyimide for the homogeneous dispersion of the nanotubes. For the functionalization, the nanotube-bound carboxylic acids derived from the surface defects were targeted for esterification reactions with\npendant hydroxyl groups in the derivatized polyimide. The functionalized nanotube samples, readily\nsoluble in several common organic solvents, were thoroughly characterized by a series of instrumental\ntechniques including NMR in both solution phase and solid state, optical absorption, Raman, thermogravimetric analysis, and microscopy methods. The results were consistent with well-dispersed nanotubes\nfunctionalized by the polyimide, and also with the expectation that the nanotube electronic properties\nwere largely preserved in the specific mode of functionalization. The presumed formation of ester linkages\nin the functionalized samples was supported by the results from chemical defunctionalization. The\npotential applications of the polyimide-functionalized carbon nanotubes and the demonstrated functionalization strategy are discussed.