Preparation and Characterization of Polycarbonate Modified Multiple‐walled Carbon Nanotubes

To prepare polymer/carbon nanotube composites, polycarbonate was chosen to modify multiple‐walled carbon nanotubes. Poly[(propylene oxide)‐(carbon dioxide)‐(ε‐caprolactone)], poly(butylene‐co‐ε‐caprolactone carbonate), and poly[(propylene oxide)‐co‐(carbon dioxide)‐co‐(maleic anhydride)] were the polycarbonates which were used to modify multiple‐walled carbon nanotubes, but only soluble poly[(propylene oxide)‐(carbon dioxide)‐(ε‐caprolactone)] modified multiple‐walled carbon nanotubes could be obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis clearly indicated that more polycarbonates were attached to soluble poly[(propylene oxide)‐(carbon dioxide)‐(ε‐caprolactone)] modified multiple‐walled carbon nanotubes. The formation of surface functional groups and changes of nanotube structures and morphology were monitored by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Because of their solubility and bioactive moieties, poly[(propylene oxide)‐(carbon dioxide)‐(ε‐caprolactone)] modified multiple‐walled carbon nanotubes may find their potential use in drug delivery.