Surface modification of MWNTs with BA‐MMA‐GMA terpolymer by single‐step grafting technique

In this article, a facile strategy was developed to prepare BA‐MMA‐GMA/MWNTs (multiwalled carbon nanotubes) hybrid nanoparticles as nanofillers in rubber by single‐step grafting technique. First, a new macromolecular surface modifier butyl acrylate (BA)‐α‐methyl methacrylate(MMA)‐glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) terpolymer was synthesized via radical copolymerization. Afterward, this terpolymer modifier was covalently grafted onto the surface of crude MWNTs by single‐step grafting technique. The structure, surface properties, and thermal stability of modified MWNTs were systematically investigated by FTIR, TGA, and TEM. FTIR results showed that BA‐MMA‐GMA terpolymer was successfully grafted onto the surface of MWNTs. TGA indicated that the optimum mass fraction of macromolecular modifier coated on the surface of MWNTs was 9 wt %. TEM images revealed that an organic coating layer was formed and the modified MWNTs showed good dispersibility in acetone.