Supramolecular macrostructures of UPy-functionalized carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered excellent materials for the construction of flexible displays due to their nanoscale dimensions and unique physical and chemical properties. By using the recognition properties of 2-ureido-4[1H]pyrimidinone (UPy), a versatile and simple methodology was demonstrated for the construction of macroscopic structures based on UPy-CNT/polymer composites prepared by a combination of two functionalization approaches: 1) covalent attachment of UPy pendants on the multiwalled CNT surface (UPy-MWCNTs) and 2) directed self-assembly of UPy-MWCNTs within polymers bearing UPy pendants (Bis-UPy 1 and Bis-UPy 2) by quadruple complementary DDAA-AADD hydrogen-bond recognition (D=donor, A=acceptor).