Addition of Radicals onto CNT

The presence of CNT in polymerization system not only changes properties of the polymer matrix but also has a significant impact onto carbon nanotubes they can be functionalized on the surface by the radicals. Functionalized nanotubes are on the one hand better individualized from the bundles and aggregates (44), but on the other hand they are shorter and can possess some open ends (43). 

The way in which modification affects the properties of nanotubes can be detected for instance by thermogravimetric measurements. 

A typical experimental procedure suitable for functionalization was described in (44). It includes sonication of SWCNT dispersion in organic solvent (1,2-dichlorbenzene) together with dissolved AIBN for 5 min, which is followed by stirring of reaction mixture for a certain time (1-5 hours) at 75°C. 

Opening of CNT jt-bonds by AIBN can also lead to generating of radicals on the tube surface, which become active sites from which polymer chain starts to grow (16,18). It has lately been announced that chemical reaction with CNT (somewhere called radical addition (46,47)) can be performed also by macroradicals, which originate during propagation step of radical polymerization (15). 

As said before, another way of CNT functionalization is by polymer macroradicals using methods of ultrasonic sonochemistry. The macroradicals are generated by the degradation effect of ultrasonic waves applied onto polymer solutions, e.g. those prepared of poly(methyl 

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