A Non-Covalent Method to Functionalize Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Six-Armed Star Poly(L-lactic acid) with a Triphenylene Core

Well-defined six-armed star poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) with a triphenylene core has been prepared by ring-opening polymerization Of L-lactide. As a result of strong pi-pi interactions between the triphenylene core and the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), the polymer was conveniently immobilized on the surface of the as-received MWCNTs by a simple ultrasonic process while the intrinsic graphitic structure of the pristine MWCNTs is retained. The non-covalent interaction between the carbon nanotubes and the polymer has been proven by the UV-vis absorption spectra, the fluorescence spectra, the Raman spectra, and the X-ray photoelectron spectra.