Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of functionalizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in acidic media. By first dispersing CNTs in an acidic medium, bundled CNTs can be separated as individual CNTs, affording exposure of the CNT sidewalls, and thereby facilitating the functionalization of such CNTs, wherein functional groups are attached to the subsequently exposed sidewalls of these individualized CNTs. Once dispersed in this substantially unhundled state, the CNTs are functionalized according to one or more of a variety of functionalization processes. Typically, ultrasonication or non-covalent wrapping is not needed to afford such dispersion and subsequent functionalization. Additionally, such methods are easily scalable and can provide for sidewall-functionalized CNTs in large, industrial-scale quantities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube-elastomer composites, methods for making such carbon nanotube-elastomer composites, and articles of manufacture made with such carbon nanotube-elastomer composites. In general, such carbon nanotube-elastomer (CNT-elastomer) composites display an enhancement in their tensile modulus (over the native elastomer), but without a large concomitant reduction in their strain-at-break.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to aryl halide (such as aryl bromide) functionalized carbon nanotubes can be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer-carbon nanotube materials with improved dispersion ability in polymer matrices. In this process the aryl halide is reacted with an alkyllithium species or is reacted with a metal to replace the aryl-bromine bond with an aryl-lithium or aryl-metal bond, respectively. It has further been discovered that other functionalized carbon nanotubes, after deprotonation with a deprotonation agent, can similarly be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer-carbon nanotube materials. Additionally or alternatively, a ring opening polymerization process can be performed. The resultant materials can be used by themselves due to their enhanced strength and reinforcement ability when compared to their unbound polymer analogs.