Carbon nanotubes and fullerene in the solution polymerisation of acrylonitrile

The radical activity of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and fullerene C60 in the radical polymerisation of acrylonitrile (AN) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) initiated by 2,2′-azobis[2-methyl-ω-hydroxy-oligo(oxyethylene) propionate] [AIB-OOE(4 0 0)] and 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) at 333 K was investigated in situ using a dilatometric method. The carbonaceous substances were sonicated in DMF before the polymerisation. The changes in the process proceeding in the presence of SWCNT and C60 in a comparison to the course of AN polymerisation without the participation of carbonaceous substances (the decrease of the reaction rate, the induction time) indicated on the inhibition effect, which can be described quantitatively using the inhibition parameter F. Single wall carbon nanotubes were found to act as retarders whereas fullerene C60 as an inhibitor in the AN polymerisation. The changes in the chemical structure of products reveal that the carbon nanotubes and fullerenes are chemically bonded with the polymer.