Use of ultra-thin cross-linked polymer films for preparation of stable mono-dispersed carbon nanotubes

We report on the use of ultra-thin cross-linked polymer films to coat carbon nanotubes (CNTs). When n-dodecyl glyceryl itaconate, an amphiphilic monomer, and N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide), a cross-linker, were mixed with CNTs, an ultra-thin cross-linked DGI polymer film formed on the surface of the individual CNTs by self-assembly polymerization. The CNTs modified with the cross-linked DGI polymer film are highly soluble in water with a multi-walled CNT concentration of up to 1 wt.%, providing an attractive approach for preparing stable, mono-dispersed CNT solutions.