Strings of polymer microspheres stabilized by oxidized carbon nanotubes

Oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTOs) with hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups and hydrophobic conjugated structure are prepared by the oxidation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). After the polymerization of styrene with CNTOs dispersed in aqueous phase, polystyrene (PS) microspheres with string-like structure are obtained. Thermogravimetic analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and Raman results indicate the strong interaction between the separated PS chains from the oil phase and CNTOs during the initial stage of the polymerization. These adsorbed PS chains on the surface of CNTOs are quickly swollen by the monomer and they grow in size during the further polymerization. The pH value and the ion strength of aqueous phase obviously affect the stability of PS microspheres. The particle size of microspheres is also determined by the pH. We demonstrate that the one-dimensional structure of CNTOs is responsible for the formation of polymer microspheres with special architecture.