Polymer wrapping-induced dispersion of single walled carbon nanotubes in ethylene glycol under mild sonication.

SWCNTs were individually dispersed in ethylne glycol (EG) via mild bath-type sonication using quaternized poly(furfuryl methacrylate)- co -(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) p(FMA- co -QDMAEMA) as a dispersing agent. QDMAEMA, which has alkyl groups, was more favorable to the dispersion ability of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The dispersion mechanism of SWCNTs in EG via helical wrapping of polymer chains along their sidewalls was suggested based on transmission electron microscopic observation.