Ethylene-coNorbornene Copolymers Grafted Carbon nanotube Composites by In Situ polymerization.

Vinyl functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-vinyl) are synthesized and used as monomers to prepare poly(ethylene-co-norbornene)-grafted carbon nanotube composites by in situ polymerization with [Ti(?5-C5Me5)(N?CtBu2)Cl2] activated with methylalumoxane (MAO). The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of grafted MWCNT composites are more than 30 degrees C higher than those of copolymers. This difference is rationalized by the immobilization of the copolymer chain to the MWCNT surface by a covalent bond. The Young's modulus is shown to increase by more than 200% compared to poly(ethylene-co-norbornene) by incorporating 3.4 wt% functionalized MWCNT.