Synthesis of pyrene-containing polymers and noncovalent sidewall functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Pyrene-containing polymers have been prepared for noncovalent sidewall functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). (1-Pyrene)methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate (PyM-MP) has been synthesized and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA). Poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-poly(MMA-co-PyMMP) diblocks have also been synthesized. The surface of MWNTs, produced by both the CCVD and arc discharge methods, has been modified by these copolymers for making them dispersible in a variety of organic solvents. The modified MWNTs have been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.