Effect of ionic liquid-containing poly(ε-caprolactone) on the dispersion and dielectric properties of polymer/carbon nanotube composites. Issue 37 (29th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ren, Ye; Zhou, Zheng; Yin, Guangzhong; Chen, Guang-Xin; Li, Qifang
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 37(2016)
• Page Start: 31351
• Page End: 31358
• Publication Date: 2016-03-29
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra01675h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : A compatilizer containing imidazolium segment was used to improve the compatibility of CNTs with PCL matrix. Abstract : Supramolecular chemistry is a reliable and effective field that encompasses the functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through non-covalent interactions, such as π–π stacking and cation–π interactions. In this work, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) containing an ionic liquid group was synthesized through ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone by using a hydroxylated ionic liquid derived from imidazole and 2-bromoethanol. Ionic liquid-containing PCL exhibited affinity for the π-conjugated structure in CNTs. The fabricated PCL/CNTs composite showed improved CNTs dispersion because of the addition of ionic liquid-containing PCL as a compatibilizer. The composites also demonstrated enhanced electronic and dielectric properties as a result of the excellent interfacial control by the compatibilizer, which could be due to the anchoring of PCL chains onto the CNTs surface via non-covalent (supramolecular) functionalization. This simple approach provides novel supramolecular tools for using renewable resources to prepare CNTs-based composites with high performance.