One-Step in Situ Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate)-Grafted Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites

An efficient synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted SWCNT composites (PMMA-SWCNTs) were developed by using in situ atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto SWCNTs sonicated in o-dichlorobenzene (ODCB) in one step. Morphology studies with HRTEM and AFM and solubility changes of the PMMA-SWCNTs in CHCl3 and DMF suggest the existence of PMMA in the nanocomposites. The sonochemical reaction of ODCB and SWCNTs is critical for the formation of PMMA-SWCNTs. Systematic characterization shows that PMMA was covalently attached to the SWCNTs in PMMA-SWCNTs.