Generating functionalized nanocabons and polymer nanocomposites in poly(phosphoric acid)

Abstract

This overview presents the research results based on a versatile, covalent functionalization technique utilizing poly(phosphoric acid)/phosphorus pentoxide (PPA/P2O5| optimized w/w: 4:1) medium to promote dispersion, solubilization, and in-situ polymerization to generate functionalized ID and 2D nanocarbon materials and polymer matrix nanocomposites. Highlights on such functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT) & nanofibers (CNF) and generation of their nanocomposite materials illustrate the versatility and applicability to other members of nanocarbon raw materials. It also showcases the scientific fruition of an in-house research program at AFRL/RXAS and an interactive US-Korea collaboration (2003-2011) supported by US Air Force Research Laboratory.