One-pot polymer modification of carbon nanotubes through mercaptoacetic acid locking imine reaction and π–π stacking

By ‘grafting to’ strategy, polymers (poly(ethylene glycol), poly(methyl methacrylate)) have been facilely linked on carbon nanotube (CNT) surface through simultaneous π–π stacking and mercaptoacetic acid locking imine (MALI) reaction to achieve the CNT–polymer complex. The targeted polymers could be effectively anchored on CNT surface under mild condition (room temperature, catalyst free), and the therefore obtained CNT–polymer complex can be well dispersed in regular used organic or aqueous solvents, suggesting this simple method an efficient approach to prepare CNT–polymer nanocomposite.