The Molecular and Macromolecular Level of Carbon Nanotube Modification Via Diazonium Chemistry: Emphasis on the 2010s Years

Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes Surface by Aryl Groups: A Review

The review is devoted to the methods of introducing aryl functional groups to the CNT surface. Arylated nanotubes are characterized by extended solubility, and are widely used in photoelectronics, semiconductor technology, and bioelectrocatalysis. The main emphasis is on arylation methods according to the radical mechanism, such as the Gomberg-Bachmann and Billups reactions, and the decomposition of peroxides. At the same time, less common approaches are also considered. For each of the described reactions, a mechanism is presented in the context of the effect on the properties of functionalized nanotubes and their application. As a result, this will allow us to choose the optimal modification method for specific practical tasks.

Electrical conductivity and thermal stability of surface-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polysulfone/poly(p-phenylenediamine) composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with acid then coated with poly(p-phenylenediamine) (PpPD). Various concentrations of modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs@PpPD) were introduced to a polysulfone (PSU) and poly(p-phenylenediamine) (PpPD) blend providing nanocomposites in form of sheets. Chemical oxidative polymerization was used to polymerize p-phenylenediamine. PpPD is then applied as a compatibilizer in such heterogeneous system to facilitate a successful percolation for MWCNTs in the polymeric matrix as an enhanced conductive filler. The morphological investigations showed homogeneous distribution for MWCNTs in the polymeric matrix. The prepared composites were investigated demonstrating favorable thermal and electrical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) emphasized that MWCNTs@PpPD contributed in enhancing the thermal stability of the prepared sheets. The electrical conductivity of PSU/PpPD/MWCNTs@PpPD nanocomposites boosted upon raising the magnitude of loaded MWCNTs. The existence of MWCNTs@PpPD in the polymeric matrix extended the interfacial polarization effects with elevating the conductance. The loaded composite with (7.5 wt%) MWCNTs@PpPD showed the optimum electrical conductivity values. It was then treated with HCl to protonate the amine groups in PpPD showing higher conductivity value than its corresponding untreated one. PpPD and MWCNTs contributed synergistically in modifying the insulation feature of PSU to a favorable electrical conductivity one.

Flexible, Biocompatible PET Sheets: A Platform for Attachment, Proliferation and Differentiation of Eukaryotic Cells

Transparent, flexible, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets were modified by bioactive polymer-fibronectin top layers for the attachment of cells and growth of muscle fibers. Towards this end, PET sheets were grafted with 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl (DMA) groups from the in situ generated diazonium cation precursor. The arylated sheets served as macro-hydrogen donors for benzophenone and the growth of poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) top layer by surface-confined free radical photopolymerization. The PET-PHEMA sheets were further grafted with fibronectin (FBN) through the 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole coupling procedure. The bioactive PET-PHEMA-I-FBN was then employed as a platform for the attachment, proliferation and differentiation of eukaryotic cells which after a few days gave remarkable muscle fibers, of ~120 µm length and ~45 µm thickness. We demonstrate that PET-PHEMA yields a fast growth of cells followed by muscle fibers of excellent levels of differentiation compared to pristine PET or standard microscope glass slides. The positive effect is exacerbated by crosslinking PHEMA chains with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate at initial HEMA/EGDA concentration ratio = 9/1. This works conclusively shows that in situ generated diazonium salts provide aryl layers for the efficient UV-induced grafting of biocompatible coating that beneficially serve as platform for cell attachment and growth of muscle fibers.

Diazonium Modification of Inorganic and Organic Fillers for the Design of Robust Composites: A Review

This review focuses on fillers modified with diazonium salts and their use in composites. We reviewed scientific publications and presented information about such diazonium-modified fillers as boron nitride, carbon fillers, cellulose, clay, silica, titanium dioxide, and zeolite. The fillers were divided into two groups. The first group includes those that form covalent bonds with the polymer, while the second includes those that do not form them. This review indicates a tremendous impact of filler modification using diazonium salts on the properties of composites. The review presents examples of the impact of filler on such properties as thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties (e.g., interfacial shear strength, compressive strength, flexural strength). The presented review indicates the enormous potential of composites with diazonium-modified fillers in control drug release, antistatic coatings, electrode materials, photocatalysts, bone tissue engineering scaffolds, fuel cell applications, abrasive tools, and electromechanical strain sensor. We hope that this review will help both research groups and industry in choosing fillers for given types of polymers and obtaining composites with even better properties.