Optically Active Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Transparent, Conductive Memory-Shape Polyurethane Film

We have fabricated electrically conductive, optically transparent, and mechanically strong shape-memory polyurethane film by incorporating photochemically surface-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) The oxygen functional groups on the sidewall of the MWNTs, created by vacuum ultraviolet light, provide reactive sites to bind strongly with polyurethane The homogeneous dispersion of MWVNTs is confirmed by the optical signals coming from the innermost tube (ca 0 9 nm) of the MWNTs, not from isolated single walled carbon nanotubes The optimally introduced functional groups as well as the judicious selection of organic solvent, both for dispersing MWNTs homogeneously and dissolving the polymer completely, are critical to fabricate high functional polyurethane film