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We are developing a method for incorporating Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) into
thermosets and thermoplastics to act as reinforcement. The helical structure of poly
(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-p-phenylenevinylene) (PmPV) encourages this polymer to wind
itself around both individual SWNTs and multiple SWNT ropes. This forms a polymer/nanotube mixture in
which the polymer is mechanically anchored to the nanotube but is not chemically bound to it. Because
interaction between the PmPV and SWNTs is purely mechanical, no incursion into the bond structure of
the SWNTs occurs. Our current work involves the functionalization of the side chains of PmPV so that
chemical binding between the PmPV and matrix can be made possible.
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