Polymer-grafted carbon spheres by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

In situ atom transfer radical polymerization techniques have been used to produce polymer-grafted carbon spheres (CSs). The surfaces of as-prepared CSs were functionalized in the presence of CS-supported macroinitiators. The resulting materials were characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, TGA, SEM, TEM, and HRTEM. The amount of polymer grafted onto the surfaces of the spheres can be controlled by varying the monomer/initiator feed ratio. The wetting ability and dispersibility of the polymer-grafted CSs were improved significantly, compared with crude CSs, enabling stable dispersions in organic solvents to be produced. SEM and TEM studies indicate that a uniform distribution of the carbon spheres in the continuous polymer phase can be produced.