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Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes With Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering

Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes With Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering

Youngkyu Han, Suk-Kyun Ahn, Zhe Zhang, Gregory S Smith, Changwoo Do

J Vis Exp. 2016 Jun 1;(112):53969.

PMID: 27285590

Abstract:

We demonstrate a protocol for single-walled carbon nanotube functionalization using thermo-sensitive PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers in an aqueous solution. In a carbon nanotube/PEO105-PPO70-PEO105 (poloxamer 407) aqueous solution, the amphiphilic poloxamer 407 adsorbs onto the carbon nanotube surfaces and self-assembles into continuous layers, driven by intermolecular interactions between constituent molecules. The addition of 5-methylsalicylic acid changes the self-assembled structure from spherical-micellar to a cylindrical morphology. The fabricated poloxamer 407/carbon nanotube hybrid particles exhibit thermo-responsive structural features so that the density and thickness of poloxamer 407 layers are also reversibly controllable by varying temperature. The detailed structural properties of the poloxamer 407/carbon nanotube particles in suspension can be characterized by small-angle neutron scattering experiments and model fit analyses. The distinct curve shapes of the scattering intensities depending on temperature control or addition of aromatic additives are well described by a modified core-shell cylinder model consisting of a carbon nanotube core cylinder, a hydrophobic shell, and a hydrated polymer layer. This method can provide a simple but efficient way for the fabrication and in-situ characterization of carbon nanotube-based nano particles with a structure-tunable encapsulation.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP308068566-B	Carbon nanotube, single-walled		308068-56-6	Price

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