POLY 230 |
| Carbon nanotubes are being extensively studied for applications in various materials due to their good mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. However, due to the insolubility of carbon nanotubes, a lot of the research has focused on the functionalization of nanotubes in order to increase their solubility in the polymer matrices. We report the attachment of nitroxide mediated radical polymerization (NMP) initiator to nanotubes and their use for in situ polymerization of tert -butyl acrylate and N,N-dimethylacrylamide and the diblock copolymer of tert-butyl acrylate and styrene. The modified nanotubes were characterized by NMR and TGA. The nanotubes were found to be soluble in various organic solvents. MWNTs grafted with poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) were shown to be water-soluble and help prevent non-specific binding. This was demonstrated for IgE recognition by dinitrophenyl group specifically incorporated at the PDMA chain end. The details of the functionalization and its utility in biological applications will be provided. |
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7th International Biorelated Polymers Symposium
8:30 AM-12:40 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 San Francisco Marriott -- Salon 14/15, Oral
Division of Polymer Chemistry |