Preparation and characterization of polystyrene modified single-walled carbon nanotube

A halogen atom terminated Polystyrene (PSt) was prepared by means of atom transfer radical polymerization. Then, the halogen atom was converted into -N₃ group and a -N₃ terminated PSt was obtained. Finally PSt was grafted onto the surface of single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) by the reaction of azide group with SWNT. Comparison of X-ray photoelectron spectrometer of N1s electron belonging to -N₃ and the surface of SWNT demonstrated that three-membered rings were formed by releasing N₂ from -N₃ during the reaction. The structure of PSt modified SWNT was characterized by FTIR, UV, Raman spectrum, and TEM. The experimental results showed that the PSt was connected assuredly to SWNT by the covalent bond. TGA data showed that the amount of PSt on the surface of SWNT firstly increased with growing of PSt and then decrease when continues to grow. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007