Controlled synthesis and modification of carbon nanotubes and C-60: Carbon nanostructures for advanced polymer composite materials

Abstract

Composites of C60 fullerene and carbon nanotubes with polymers are attractive for a wide range of applications. The combination of the unique physicochemical and optoelectronic properties of the carbon structures with the characteristics of some well-known polymers has proven to yield some interesting effects. Various synthetic approaches to making these advanced polymeric composites have been suggested along with novel methods for microstructuring the materials into aligned or patterned forms.