A influência de modificação química (por tratamento ácido seguido de funcionalização com trietilenotetramina, TETA) sobre a superfície de nanotubos de carbono de paredes múltiplas (MWCNT) foi estudada qualitativa e quantitativamente. A análise termogravimétrica (TGA) mostrou que, no caso do nanotubo funcionalizado com amina, 29% de perda de massa pode ser atribuída a -C(=O)TETA e grupos funcionais residuais que contêm oxigênio. A espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por raios X (XPS) foi utilizada para observar as funções aminadas e oxigenadas ligadas covalentemente à superfície do nanotubo. As imagens de microscopia de força elétrica (EFM) indicaram que, à medida que se modifica a química superficial dos nanotubos em presença de ar, estes mostram respostas diferentes em função do potencial da ponta. Deslocamentos nos sinais de fase de EFM decrescem quando se modifica a superfície dos tubos com grupos funcionais contendo oxigênio e amina. Em atmosfera seca e inerte de N2, as três diferentes superfícies mostraram a mesma resposta à EFM. Além disso, o caráter hidrofílico dos "buckypapers" cresceu na ordem MWCNT < MWCNT-aminado < MWCNT-oxidado.

The influence of chemical modification by acid treatment followed by triethylenetetramine (TETA) functionalization on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was evaluated, both qualitative and quantitatively. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that, in the case of amine-functionalized nanotubes, 29% of mass loss can be attributed to -C(=O)TETA and residual oxygen-containing functional groups. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to observe the oxygenated and aminated functions covalently linked to the nanotube surface. Electric force microscopy (EFM) images indicated that the nanotubes with diverse surface chemistry showed distinct responses to the tip potential in the presence of air. Shifts in EFM phase images decreased when the nanotube surface was modified with oxygen and amine-containing functional groups. In dry and inert N2 atmosphere, however, the three different surfaces showed the same response to EFM. In addition, the hydrophilic character of the buckypapers increased in the order MWCNT < aminated-MWCNT < oxidized-MWCNT.

Três polímeros e dois novos copolímeros baseados em derivados de politiofenos 3-substituídos têm sido estudados e todos demonstraram propriedades fotoluminescentes. Todos os polímeros sintetizados, poli(3-metoxitiofeno) (PMOT), poli(3-tiofenoetanol) (PTE), poli(3-tiofenometanol) (PTM), e copolímeros, poli(3-metoxitiofeno-co-3-tiofenoetanol) (PMOT-co-TE) e poli(3-metoxitiofeno-co-3-tiofenometanol) (PMOT-co-TM), foram caracterizados por FT IR, UV-Vis, fotoluminescência (PL), análise térmica (TG e DSC) e difração de raios X. Todos os materiais mostraram emissão de luz na região do laranja do espectro visível. A obtenção dos polímeros e copolímeros foi confirmada por análise espectrométrica na região do infravermelho. A análise térmica mostrou boa estabilidade térmica para os materiais obtidos.

This work reports the synthesis of three polymers and two new copolymers based on 3-substituted polythiophene derivatives, all of them demonstrated photoluminescent properties. All polymers synthesized, i.e., poly(3-methoxythiophene) (PMOT), poly(3-thiopheneethanol) (PTE), poly(3-thiophenemethanol) (PTM), poly(3-methoxythiophene-co-3-thiopheneethanol) (PMOT-co-TE) and poly(3-methoxythiophene-co-3-thiophenemethanol) (PMOT-co-TM), were characterized by FT IR, UV-Vis, photoluminescence (PL), thermal analysis (TG and DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). All materials emitted light in the orange region of the visible spectrum. Spectrometric analysis in the infrared region demonstrated the successful synthesis of polymers and copolymers by the presence of characteristic bands. Thermal analysis showed that the obtained materials had good thermal stability.

Polyurethane/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites have been prepared with nanotube concentrations between 0.01 wt% and 1 wt%. MWCNT as-synthesized samples with ~74 nm diameter and ~7 μm length were introduced by solution processing in the polyurethane matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images demonstrated good dispersion and adhesion of the CNTs to the polymeric matrix. The C=O stretching band showed evidence of perturbation of the hydrogen interaction between urethanic moieties in the nanocomposites as compared to pure TPU. Differential scanning calorimetry and positron anihilation lifetime spectroscopy measurements allowed the detection of glass transition displacement with carbon nanotube addition. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites was significantly increased with the addition of CNT.