A novel report on Eosin Y functionalized MWCNT as an initiator for ring opening polymerization of ɛ-caprolactone

This research conducted ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ɛ-caprolactone (C.L.) with a novel initiator, namely; Eosin Y functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) at 140 °C with nitrogen sparge under different concentrations. ROP of C.L. carried out at two different experimental conditions similar to variations in [M0/I0] and [C.L.]. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the structure of MWCNT-Eosin Y initiated ROP of C.L. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further characterized the structure. UV–visible spectroscopy determined the binding constant (K), for samples prepared under different [C.L.].

Research highlights▶ In the present investigation, first, we functionalized the MWCNT with Eosin Y dye, for the ring opening polymerization. ▶ The dye functionalized MWCNT acted as an effective initiator which was further confirmed by various analytical techniques. ▶ By this methodology we saved the number of reaction steps, reaction time and also an economically cheaper one.