Polymer Composites with Functionalized Carbon Nanotube and Graphene

The functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (GN) has been shown to be an important prerequisite for the effective coating of their surfaces with polymers. In this chapter, the methods of introducing carboxylic, carbonyl, sulfonic, amide, and halogen functional groups on the surfaces of CNTs and GN are reviewed. The effect of these surface groups on the physicochemical properties of CNTs and GN are explained particularly with reference to the chemical or electrochemical synthesis routes adopted in the preparation of their composites with polymers. Furthermore, the delocalization of the valence electrons in the composites of electronically conducting polymers with functionalized CNT or GN was used to describe the origin of the pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism. Other applications of the composites of polymers with functionalized CNTs and GN such as in energy conversion and storage, catalysis, and structural reinforcement are also briefly overviewed.