A novel strategy to functionalize carbon nanotubes with cellulose acetate using triazines as intermediated functional groups

An efficient strategy that consists of cutting, chain extension, introducing active groups and homogeneous reaction tactics was employed to functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with cellulose acetate (CA). Specially, by utilizing 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine, a novel reactive intermediate of the MWNTs, namely triazine-functionalized MWNTs (MWNT-triazine), was obtained. Suitable solubility of the MWNT-triazine makes the next homogeneous functionalization of the MWNTs possible. Detailed characterizations further verified that reaction between chloride atoms in the MWNT-triazine and hydroxyl groups in the CA had contributed to the formation of MWNT-CA conjugates. With a nanotube-attached CA content of 42.8 wt.%, the MWNT-CA is readily soluble in intensive polar solvents. Confirmation of the CA-functionalized MWNTs might lead to further studies aiming at potential applications in specific sorption and isolation.