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Polymer crystallization-driven, periodic patterning on carbon nanotubes
Journal article

Polymer crystallization-driven, periodic patterning on carbon nanotubes

Lingyu Li, Christopher Y Li and Chaoying Ni
Journal of the American Chemical Society, v 128(5), pp 1692-1699
08 Feb 2006
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ja056923h
PMID: 16448143

Abstract

We report herein a unique means to periodically pattern polymeric materials on individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a controlled polymer crystallization method. One-dimensional (1D) CNTs were periodically decorated with polymer lamellar crystals, resulting in nano-hybrid shish-kebab (NHSK) structures. The periodicity of the polymer lamellae varies from 20 to 150 nm. The kebabs are approximately 5-10 nm thick (along CNT direction) with a lateral size of approximately 20 nm to micrometers, which can be readily controlled by varying crystallization conditions. Both polyethylene and Nylon 66 were successfully decorated on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), as well as vapor grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The formation mechanism was attributed to "size-dependent soft epitaxy". Because NHSK formation conditions depend on CNT structures, it further provides a unique opportunity for CNT separation. The reported method opens a gateway to periodically patterning polymers and different functional groups on individual CNTs in an ordered and controlled manner, an attractive research field that is yet to be explored.

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358 citations in Web of Science
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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
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