Papers by Keyword: Covalent Functionalization

Abstract: The amino-functionalized graphene/polyaniline nanocomposites (AGNS/PANI) were fabricated through in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of amino-functionalized graphene sheets (AGNS). FTIR, UV-vis spectroscopy analyses revealed that aminophenyl groups covalently bound to the basal plane of graphene via a diazonium addition, and the polyaniline chains grafted to graphene sheets. The FE-SEM images show that PANI nanorods aligned vertically on the surface of graphene. The AGNS/PANI nanocomposite exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for supercapacitor electrode materials.

Abstract: Polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites were prepared by emulsion polymerization in the presence of styryl-modified MWCNTs. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope confirm the effectiveness of functionalization of MWCNTs and the strong interactions between MWCNTs and PS nanoparticles. The results of transmission electron microscopes further support the covalent functionalization process.

Abstract: Potential application of Carbon Nanotubes as a drug delivery system is limited by their hydrophobity and their natural tendency to aggregate in the bundles. Dispersion and solubility of Singlewall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) solution via non covalent and covalent interactions was investigated. Galactosyl-β1-Sphyngosine (glycolipid precursor of cerebrosides, structured with a hydrophobic chain, a hydrophilic head and an amine group between them) was used. Pristine SWCNTs were wrapped with Galactosyl-β1-Sphyngosine (Gal-Sphy), whereas the carboxylic groups of the functionalized CNTs were activated in order to interact with amine groups of Galactosylsphyngosine and render the coating stronger. Samples dispersion was characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy (OAS). The comparison and efficiency of the dispersion stability of the functionalized material in respect to the pristine SWCNTs will be presented. We exploited Raman Spectroscopy to evaluate relative purity of the samples, and the Infrared analysis to characterize the presence of the functional groups on the tubes surface. The morphology of the samples was studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM).