Electroactive Block Copolymer Brushes on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The synthesis of multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) adorned with electroactive polymers (EAP) brushes initiating ring opening metathesis polymerization from the nanotube side walls was reported. The density of norbornene groups was confirmed by termogravimetric analysis (TGA) showing a weight loss of 28% at 700° C as compared to pristine nanotubes. Electroactive block copolymer brushes with a shell of ions-conducting polymers surrounding the EAP layer enhanced counterion diffusion. The resultant elecroactive material exhibits high dispersability in organic solvents and improved electroactivities and conductance in comparison with the homo and copolymers that were not attached to MWCNT. This synthesis strategy can also be utilized to prepare a new class of functional polymer/carbon nanotubes hybrid materials.