Functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with polyamide 6 by anionic ring-opening polymerization

Covalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with polyamide 6 was accomplished by anionic ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactam in the presence of sodium caprolactamate as a catalyst and caprolactam functionalized MWCNTs as an initiator. The initiator precursor, isocyanate functionalized MWCNTs, was prepared by directly reacting commercial hydroxyl functionalized MWCNTs with excess toluene 2,4-diisocyanate. This …