RAFT engineered polymeric material with pendant furan groups that reversibly attach to surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was developed. Combining thermoresponsive furan-maleimide (FMI) Diels-Alder dynamic covalent chemistry with MWCNT reinforcements led to a strong, tough and conductive newly enhanced dynamic materials with greatly improved strength, functionality and performance. Less than 1% MWCNT loading proved sufficient in creating stronger and powerful polymeric materials by reversible bonding of excess furan groups to MWCNT surface, which facilitates facile and responsive bonding of the polymer matrix to nanoscale reinforcement. Self-healing experiments revealed excellent dynamic character of the resulting materials and this is due to the thermoresponsive property of FMI units. It was observed that this nanoscale reinforcement strategy enhances mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the materials.

Carbon nanotube enhanced dynamic polymeric materials through macromolecular engineering

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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