Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol.707, No.1, 21-28, 2020
Preparation of degradable cross-linked carbon nanotubes incorporated polymer via "click" chemistry
In this study, degradable cross-linked carbon nanotubes (CNTs) incorporated polymer was prepared by a facile route using "click" chemistry. Firstly, copolymers of poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PSM) were functionalized with furfuryl amine and propargyl amine in a simple one-pot reaction to produce furan-alkyne bifunctional PSM copolymers (PSFA). Secondly, the PSFA chains were covalently anchored to the surface of CNTs by the Diels-Alder "click"-type reaction in water under ultrasound assistance affording PSFA/CNTs. Eventually, azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reaction was taken place between the PSFA/CNTs and bis-(azidoethyl)disulfide as a crosslinking agent in the presence of Cu(0)/PMDTA catalyst system. The successful functionalization of CNTs was confirmed by a series of characterization techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The degradable cross-linked PSFA/CNTs could convert hydrophobic to hydrophilic character under reducing environment.