Amidation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in mild and efficient conditions

Functionalization of Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) with amines under a two step reaction is studied. In the first step, maleic anhydride graft to the MWCNT (Mah-g-MWCNTs) surfaces via a polymerization process with benzoylproxide as initiator. Active anhydride groups on the surfaces of MWCNTs, react with amines to give a polyamido chain attached to the MWCNTs surfaces. The reaction products have high solubility and disperse stability in organic solvents. FTIR, TGA and elemental analysis (CHN) were used to characterization of the achieved products.