Synthesis of functionalized carbon nanotubes for ring opening metathesis polymerization reactions

CHED 326

Melanie K. Kiker, Melanie-Kiker@utulsa.edu1, Christopher J. Peeples1, Michael R. Kessler2, and John C. DiCesare, john-dicesare@utulsa.edu3. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Tulsa, 600 South College Ave, Tulsa, OK 74104, (2) Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University, 2220 Hoover Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2300, (3) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 600 South College Ave, Tulsa, OK 74104
Due to the vast interest for more stable, light weight nanotubes and due to the significant failure at the interfaces of nanocomposites within a given matrix; this project is addressing a method to allow for better interfacial strength and nanotube dispersion within a ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) based polymer matrix. Our method shall proceed by functionalizing the nanotubes with norbornene based functional groups. This is expected to increase the fiber matrix bonding and also improve nanotube dispersion in a ROMP monomer. It is expected that the functional groups shall form cross-linkages with the matrix, as this will increase the maximum possible number of nanocomposites that can be successfully synthesized. We envision this technique to arise in the synthesis of ultra-strong, ultra-light, record ROMP composites
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Nanotechnology
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, 27 March 2006 Georgia World Congress Center -- Ex. Hall B4, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 26-30, 2006