Monosaccharide-functionalized poly(phenylacetylenes): In situ polymerization, hybridization with MWCNTs, and application in the reinforcement of chitosan rods

Monosaccharide-functionalized poly(phenylacetylenes) (PPAs) are synthesized with high yield and molecular weight, but it shows no solvating power to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by simply blending them together. Polymerization of monosaccharide-functionalized monomers in the presence of MWCNTs (in situ polymerization) leads to the hybrids of monosaccharide-functionalized PPAs/MWCNTs, and the content of MWCNTs is over 2% by weight. The characterization data indicates that the π-π interaction between the styrene-like moieties in the polymer backbone and the MWCNTs plays crucial role in the dispersing capacity. Based on the in situ precipitation method, CS rods containing monosaccharide-functionalized PPAs/MWCNTs hybrids were fabricated. The bending strength and modulus of the hybrid-reinforced CS rods showed substantial improvement in comparison with the CS rods made from pristine and hydroxyapatite-reinforced CS.