Longo P., Costabile C., Grisi F., Siniscalchi G., Ciambelli P., Sarno M., Leone C., Sannino D.
University of Salerno, IT
Keywords: carbon nanotubes, Grubbs catalyst, norbernene, romp
Recently, carbon nanotubes have attracted attention for their unique structural and electronic properties, which position them as one of the leading materials for a wide array of potential nanotechnological applications. The synthesis of homogeneuos polymeric materials containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), able to combine the mechanical strength and electronic conductivity of carbon nanotubes with the solubility and processability of polymers, still represents a challenge. To improve the properties of the materials, polymers can be grown directly on a nanotube surface presenting a grafted catalyst. Herein, the synthesis of polynorbornene by ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) in the presence of 1st and 2nd generation Grubbs catalyst-functionalized nanotubes, is reported. A full characterization of the 1st and 2nd generation Grubbs catalyst-functionalized nanotubes was performed by IR (Infrared) and TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) on-line connected with a quadrupole-mass spectrometer, in order to quantify the amount of catalyst grafted to the nanotube surface. The activities of the catalyst-functionalized nanotubes in ROMP of 2-norbornene were compared with those of pure 1st and 2nd generation Grubbs catalysts and the obtained materials were characterized by DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry), IR, TG-DTA-MS analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2009: Life Sciences, Medicine, Diagnostics, Bio Materials and Composites
Published: May 3, 2009
Pages: 531 - 533
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Composite Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4398-1783-4