Abstract
Chemical modification of MWCNTs via oxidation followed by side wall functionalization using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and octadecylamine (ODA); separately, was studied. Different characterization techniques such as FTIR spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and solubility in different solvents were performed for the oxidized MWCNTs, MWCNTs–PEG and MWCNTs–ODA. The characterization techniques proved the presence of the functional groups on the MWCNT surface. Thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that nearly 16% (by weight) of the MWCNTs were functionalized with PEG and 39% (by weight) was functionalized with ODA.