Dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with pyrene-functionalized polymeric micelles in aqueous media

Polymeric micelles with pendent pyrene groups form complexes with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by π-stacking and, thus, are able to disperse the tubes in water. Evidence is given by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. “Pluronic F38” (PEO-PPO-PEO) micelles with pendent pyrene groups were obtained via UV-induced crosslinking of pentaerythritol tetraacrylate within the micellar core. The pyrene moieties were attached to the periphery of the micelles via reacting OH-groups of F38 with pyrenebutyric acid. Stabilized polymeric micelles of different pyrene content (4, 6 and 9 mol% degree of substitution) were characterized by proton NMR, UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies and dynamic light scattering.