Nanoarchitectonics at surfaces using multifunctional initiators of surface-initiated radical polymerization for fabrication of the nanocomposites

Abstract In this work, the nanoarchitectonics approach to synthesize a new functional material with certain configurations and hierarchical motifs of the multifunctional initiators of surface-initiated radical polymerization (MPIs) on surface of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was realized. The presence of covalently-linked MPIs on the surfaces of amine functionalized MWCNTs was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Nanocomposites of polybutylene terephthalate – poly(tetramethylene oxide) – (PBT/PTMO) with modified nanotubes show higher values of Young's modulus, elongation at break, and crystallization temperature in comparison to non-modified ones.