Dispersion of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Polymers with Carbazole Pendants

For various applications, it is essential to enhance the colloidal stabilization of carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersions. Here, the polymers with carbazole pendants of poly(4-(N-carbazolyl)methylstyrene-bl-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PCMS₅-b-PAPEG₇₃ and PCMS₁₆-b-PAPEG₄₃) and PCMS₃₀, synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, were used for noncovalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in tetrahydrofuran (THF), offering efficient colloidal stabilization. Meanwhile, the adsorption of polymers onto MWCNTs was investigated. The results showed that the MWCNTs decorated with these three polymers in THF exhibited different colloidal stabilization and adsorption capacity. Moreover, the MWCNT dispersions could be stabilized for days and their colloidal stabilization elevated with the increase of polymer concentrations. The block copolymer PCMS₁₆-b-PAPEG₄₃ exhibited the optimal adsorption and dispersion capability for MWCNTs. These findings imply that PCMS_m-b-PAPEG_n will be a desirable dispersant for optimizing the stabilization of CNT dispersion, making carbon nanotubes (CNTs) achievable in different applications.