Polyvinylferrocene for Noncovalent Dispersion and Redox-Controlled Precipitation of Carbon Nanotubes in Nonaqueous Media
Author(s)
Mao, Xianwen; Rutledge, Gregory C.; Hatton, T. Alan
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We report noncovalent dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in organic liquids with extremely high loading (~2 mg mL[superscript –1]) using polyvinylferrocene (PVF). In contrast to common dispersants, PVF does not contain any conjugated structures or ionic moieties. PVF is also shown to be effective in controlling nanotube dispersion and reprecipitation because it exhibits redox-switchable affinity for solvents, while maintaining stable physical attachment to CNTs during redox transformation. This switchability provides a novel approach to creating CNT-functionalized surfaces. The material systems described here offer new opportunities for applications of CNTs in nonaqueous media, such as nanotube–polymer composites and organic liquid-based optical limiters, and expand the means of tailoring nanotube dispersion behavior via external stimuli, with potential applications in switching devices. The PVF/CNT hybrid system with enhanced redox response of ferrocene may also find applications in high-performance biosensors and pseudocapacitors.
Date issued
2013-06Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemical EngineeringJournal
Langmuir
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Citation
Mao, Xianwen, Gregory C. Rutledge, and T. Alan Hatton. “Polyvinylferrocene for Noncovalent Dispersion and Redox-Controlled Precipitation of Carbon Nanotubes in Nonaqueous Media.” Langmuir 29, no. 31 (August 6, 2013): 9626–9634.
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
0743-7463
1520-5827