Synthesis of Pyrene-Containing Polymers and Noncovalent Sidewall Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Pyrene-containing polymers have been prepared for noncovalent sidewall functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). (1-Pyrene)methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate (PyMMP) has been synthesized and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA). Poly(ethylene- co -butylene)- b -poly(MMA- co -PyMMP) diblocks have also been synthesized. The surface of MWNTs, produced by both the CCVD and arc discharge methods, has been modified by these copolymers for making them dispersible in a variety of organic solvents. The modified MWNTs have been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.