Fabrication of hybrid nanocomposites of poly(acrylic acid)-grafted MWNTs and spherical aggregates of palladium nanoparticles with POSS

In this report, hybrid nanocomposites were fabricated by poly(acrylic acid)-grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) (PAA-grafted MWNTs) and spherical aggregates of palladium nanoparticles with cubic silsesquioxanes (Pd-POSS) through ionic interactions. The modification of MWNTs with PAA via in situ radical polymerization and self-organization of palladium nanoparticles by cubic silsesquioxanes (POSS) introduced negative and positive charge on the surface of MWNTs and Pd-POSS, respectively. Through electrostatic interactions, the positively charged Pd-POSS was physically attached to the surface of negatively charged PAA-grafted MWNTs. Pd-POSS were more densely and continuously deposited on the surface of PAA-grafted MWNTs than MWNTs-COOH due to the polymer effect. The characteristics of the hybrid nanocomposites were characterized by 1H-NMR, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscope, and energy dispersive spectrum.