Ma Y., Chiu P.L., Ali S.R., Serrano A., Chen A., He H.
Rutgers University, US
Keywords: carbon nanotube, catalytic effect, PABA, poly(aniline boronic acid), SWNT
Single-stranded DNA functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (ss-DNA/SWNTs) act as catalytic molecular templates during oxidative polymerization of self-doped polyaniline. We found that not only was the polymerization rate greatly enhanced, but also the quality of the resulting polymer was significantly improved. Furthermore, the polymerization in the presence of CNTs requires less oxidant, Ammonium persulfate (APS). These excellent results indicate that faster and “greener” polymerization approach can be developed for production of conducting polymer nanocomposites. These advantages cannot be obtained in a post-mixing approach to fabricate the nanocomposite. We demonstrated that the oxidative catalytic capability of the ss-DNA/SWNTs is not from the catalyst residues (iron oxide particles). It is determined by the electronic structure of the carbon nanotubes and accordingly the different electronic interaction between the monomers and the SWNTs. This oxidative catalytic capability is chiral-selective and this information about chirally selective interaction will be very helpful in determining the best class of nanotubes to enhance the catalytic effect during polymerization.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 658 - 661
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topics: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications, Composite Materials
ISBN: 1-4200-6182-8