Synthesis of waterdispersible carbon nanotube-fullerodendron hybrids

Fullerodendrons C₆₀(Gn-OAc) (n = 1,2) were produced by Diels-Alder reaction of anthryl dendrons Gn-OAc (n = 1, 2) with fullerene C₆₀. After deprotection of the terminal acetates, fullerodendrons were chemically immobilized by ester bond on acidified multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to produce MWCNT-fullerodendron hybrids. The synthesis process was confirmed by FTIR measurements, and the shell formation on MWCNT was visually determined from transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images, indicating the structural arrangement of fullerene moiety at the outermost layer. The coverage of fullerodendron on MWCNT was evaluated from thermogravimetric measurement to be 43 and 52 wt% for n = 1 and 2, respectively. The hybrids were preferably dispersible in both polar and nonpolar mediums.