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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering
Published on: June 1, 2016
Polymer functionalization and solubilization of carbon nanosheets
L Monica Veca1, Fushen Lu, Mohammed J Meziani
1Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634-0973, USA.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 18, 2009
Summary
Few-layer graphene materials, also known as carbon nanosheets, were chemically modified with poly(vinyl alcohol). This functionalization enabled soluble processing for creating advanced polymer-carbon nanosheet composites without foreign additives.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Few-layer graphene materials, or carbon nanosheets, possess unique properties but often suffer from poor solubility and processability.
- Solution-phase processing is desirable for fabricating advanced materials and composites, but typically requires dispersion agents that can compromise material integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for covalently functionalizing few-layer graphene (carbon nanosheets) with poly(vinyl alcohol).
- To achieve solubility of the functionalized graphene material for facile solution-phase processing.
- To enable the fabrication of polymer-carbon nanosheet composites free from dispersion agents.
Main Methods:
- Covalent functionalization of few-layer graphene (carbon nanosheets) using poly(vinyl alcohol) through ester linkages.
- Characterization of the functionalized material to confirm successful grafting and assess solubility.
- Fabrication of polymer-carbon nanosheet composites using the soluble functionalized graphene.
Main Results:
- Successful covalent attachment of poly(vinyl alcohol) to few-layer graphene via ester bonds.
- The resulting functionalized carbon nanosheets exhibited excellent solubility in common solvents.
- Demonstrated fabrication of polymer-carbon nanosheet composites without the need for dispersion agents or other foreign substances.
Conclusions:
- Covalent functionalization with poly(vinyl alcohol) effectively enhances the solubility and processability of few-layer graphene (carbon nanosheets).
- This approach provides a pathway for creating high-performance polymer-carbon nanosheet composites with improved material purity and tailored properties.
