Polymer and method for using the polymer for solubilizing nanotubes
View Patent ↗A new, non-wrapping approach to solubilize 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 for solubilizing such nanotubes. 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. The polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups that are suitable for solubilizing a carbon nanotube.
1. A composite comprising:
a fibrous material; and
functionalized, solubilized nanotubes mixed within the fibrous material,
wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanotubes comprise a backbone polymer structure bonded to the nanotubes in a nonwrapping fashion, the backbone comprising a portion selected from the group consisting of:
wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Pt,
wherein each of R 1 -R 8 in the above-listed backbone portions a)-q) represents a functional group; and
wherein the composite has an improved mechanical property compared to that of the fibrous material alone.
2. The composite of claim 1 wherein the fibrous material comprises bucky paper.
3. The composite of claim 1 wherein the backbone comprises a poly(aryleneethynylene).
4. The composite of claim 3 wherein the poly(aryleneethynylene) comprises at least 4 of said 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 ═
d) R 1 ═R 4 ═H and R 2 ═R 3 ═
5. The composite of claim 1 wherein the backbone comprises a poly(phenyleneethynylene).
6. The composite of claim 1 wherein the backbone comprises a poly(3-decylthiophene).
7. The composite of claim 1 wherein the nanotube is a carbon nanotube.
8. The composite of claim 1 wherein the nanotube comprises a single-walled carbon nanotube, a multi-walled carbon nanotube, or a combination thereof.
9. The composite of claim 1 further comprising polycarbonate.
10. The composite of claim 1 further comprising polystyrene.
11. The composite of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional portion comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:
H, OC 10 H 21 , F,
12. An article of manufacture comprising the composite of claim 1 .