Polymer and method for using the polymer for noncovalently functionalizing nanotubes

• US 7,547,472 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2007
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Evermore Applied Materials Corp., University Of Pittsburgh (University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education)
• Original Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Zyvex Performance Materials, Inc. (Zyvex Corporation)
• Inventors: Chen, Jian, Liu, Haiying
• Primary Examiner(s): Lipman; Bernard
• Application Number:
  US11/775,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20080187482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 428/367, 428/398, 428/408, 423/445.B, 423/445.R, 423/460, 524/495, 524/496, 525/416
• US Class Current: 428/367
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2202/02 Single-walled nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2202/28 Solid content in solvents
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/174 Derivatisation; Solubilisation; Dispersion in solvents
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 61/02 Macromolecular compounds containing only carbon atoms in the main chain of the macromolecule, e.g. polyxylylenes
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 61/122 derived from five- or six-membered heterocyclic compounds, other than imides
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 61/124 with a five-membered ring containing one nitrogen atom in the ring
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 61/126 with a five-membered ring containing one sulfur atom in the ring
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 11/14 with organic compounds, e.g. macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/737 having a modified surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/847 Surface modifications, e.g. functionalization, coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2918 including free carbon or carbide or therewith [not as steel]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2975 Tubular or cellular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/30 Self-sustaining carbon mass or layer with impregnant or other layer

Abstract

A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube'"'"'s length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel π-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the location of at least one functional group on a functionalized nanotube, comprising:

selecting at least one functional group,

selecting at least one polymer having a backbone portion capable of bonding to a nanotube in a non-wrapping fashion for controlling the location of the at least one functional group on the backbone portion,

interacting the at least one polymer and the at least one functional group to form a polymer having a backbone portion for noncovalently bonding with a nanotube in a non-wrapping fashion and having at least one functional group, and

interacting the polymer having a backbone portion for noncovalently bonding with a nanotube in a non-wrapping fashion and having at least one functional group and at least one carbon nanotube.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the backbone portion comprises a portion selected from the group consisting of:

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises poly(aryleneethynylene).

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising at least 4 functional portions (R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄), wherein said functional portions comprise functional portions selected from the group consisting of:

a) R₁=R₄=H and R₂=R₃=OC₁₀H₂₁,

b) R₁=R₂=R₃=R₄=F,

c) R₁=R₄=H and R₂=R₃=

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises poly(phenyleneethynylene).

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises poly(3-decyithiophene).

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional group comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of:

H, OC₁₀H₂₁, F,

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional group comprises a chemical handle.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional group comprises a sensor.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional group comprises an ionic functional group.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional group comprises a neutral functional group.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional group comprises an organic functional group.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanotube is a carbon nanotube.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the backbone portion is capable of interacting with the nanotube'"'"'s surface via π

-stacking.