CNT templated regioselective enzymatic polymerization of phenol in water and modification of surface of MWNT thereby

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used as templates to synthesize regioselective polymers from enzymatic polymerization of phenol in water. About 90% of total polymeric units in the obtained polymers are the highly thermally stable oxyphenylene units. The polymer‐yields are dependent on the quantities of CNTs used. On the basis of MWNT‐templated enzymatic polymerization of phenol, covalent attachment of polyphenol chains to the surface of MWNT by way of a linking molecule, hydroquinone, is achieved. This approach supplies a novel way for producing high‐performance polymers and for functionalization of the surface of CNT. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1627–1635, 2009