Polymer and method for using the polymer for noncovalently functionalizing nanotubes
View Patent ↗A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel π-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.
1. A polymer comprising:
a backbone portion for noncovalently bonding with a nanotube in a non-wrapping fashion.
2. The polymer of claim 1 wherein said backbone portion comprises a portion selected from the group consisting of:
wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Pt,
wherein at
least one of R 1 –R 8 in the above-listed backbone portions a)–q) represents a functional group; and wherein n is greater than or equal to 2.
3. The polymer of claim 1 comprising poly(aryleneethynylene).
4. The polymer of claim 3 further comprising at least 4 functional portions (R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 ), wherein said functional portions comprise functional portions selected from the group consisting of:
a) R 1 ═R 4 ═H and R 2 ═R 3 ═OC 10 H 21 ,
b) R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3 ═R 4 ═F,
c) R 1 ═R 4 ═H and R 2 ═R 3 ═
and
d) R 1 ═R 4 ═H and R 2 ═R 3 ═
5. The polymer of claim 1 comprising poly(phenyleneethynylene).
6. The polymer of claim 1 comprising poly(3-decylthiophene).
7. The polymer of claim 1 wherein said nanotube is a carbon nanotube.
8. The polymer of claim 1 wherein said backbone portion is capable of interacting with said nanotube's surface via π-stacking.
9. The polymer of claim 1 further comprising: at least one functional portion for functionalizing said nanotube.
10. The polymer of claim 9 wherein said at least one functional portion comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of:
H, OC 10 H 21 , F,
11. The polymer of claim 9 wherein said at least one functional portion comprises a chemical handle.
12. The polymer of claim 9 wherein said at least one functional portion comprises a sensor.
13. The polymer of claim 9 wherein said at least one functional portion comprises an ionic functional group.
14. The polymer of claim 9 wherein said at least one functional portion comprises a neutral functional group.
15. The polymer of claim 9 wherein said at least one functional portion comprises an organic functional group.
16. A method of flinctionalizing a carbon nanotube, comprising:
noncovalently bonding a polymer comprising a backbone portion and at least one functional group, with a carbon nanotube in a non-wrapping fashion, wherein the backbone portion comprises a portion selected from the group consisting of:
wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Pt,
wherein at least one of R 1 –R 8− in the above-listed backbone portions a)–q) represents a functional group, and wherein n is greater than or equal to 2.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the carbon nanotube is a single-walled carbon nanotube.
18. A method of functionalizing a carbon nanotube, said method comprising noncovalently bonding a polymer comprising a backbone portion selected from the group consisting of a poly(aryleneethynylene), a poly(phenyleneethynylene), a poly(3-decylthiophene) and a polypyrrole, and wherein the backbone portion comprises at least one functional group.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the at least one functional group comprises OC 10 H 21 , F,
20. The method of claim 18 wherein said polymer noncovalently bonds with said nanotube in a non-wrapping fashion via π-stacking.
21. The method of claim 18 wherein the carbon nanotube is a single-walled carbon nanotube.
22. A composition comprising:
a polymer associated with a carbon nanotube in a non-wrapping fashion, wherein the polymer comprises a backbone portion and at least one functional group, wherein the backbone portion comprises a portion selected from the group consisting of:
wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Pt,
wherein at least one of R 1 −R 8 in the above-listed backbone portions a)–q) represents a functional group, and wherein n is greater than or equal to 2.
23. The composition of claim 22 wherein the carbon nanotube is a single-walled carbon nanotube.
24. A composition comprising a polymer associated with a carbon nanotube in a non-wrapping fashion, wherein the polymer comprises a backbone portion selected from the group consisting of a poly(aryleneethynylene), a poly(phenyleneethynylene), a poly(3-decyithiophene) and a polypyrrole, and wherein the backbone portion comprises at least one functional group.
25. The composition of claim 24 , wherein the at least one functional group
comprises OC 10 H 21 , F,
26. The composition of claim 24 wherein said backbone portion associates with said nanotube's surface via π-stacking interaction therewith.
27. The composition of claim 26 wherein the carbon nanotube is a single-walled carbon nanotube.