Imidazolium End-Functionalized ATRP Polymers as Directing Agents for CNT Dispersion and Confinement

Imidazolium end-functionalized poly(butyl acrylate) and polystyrene (co)polymers (Im-PnBuA, Im-PSty, and Im-PnBuA-b-PSty are synthesized via ATRP. The controlled character of the polymerization reactions is highlighted by SEC and MALDI-TOF MS analyses. Subsequently, the polymers are tested as dispersing/compatibilizing agents for CNTs in polymer matrices. When CNTs are challenged with a mixture of Im-PnBuA and Im-PSty, the CNTs are mainly located in the PnBuA phase. In contrast, the Im-PnBuA-b-PSty block copolymer enables CNT confinement in the PSty phase. By selecting the proper ?-imidazolium polymer, it is possible to direct the CNT confinement toward a specific polymer phase within polymer mixtures.