Functionalized carbon nanotube-polymer composites and interactions with radiation

A method comprising the steps of:

• a) dispersing functionalized carbon nanotubes in a solvent to form a dispersion of functionalized carbon nanotubes;
• b) incorporating the dispersion of functionalized carbon nanotubes into a polymer host matrix to form a functionalized carbon nanotube-polymer composite;
• and
• c) modifying the functionalized carbon nanotube-polymer composite with a radiation selected from the group consisting of protons, neutrons, alpha particles, heavy ions, cosmic radiation, solar wind, and combinations thereof;
• and
• wherein the modifying comprises effecting a modification of the functionalized carbon nanotubes in situ within the polymer host matrix;
• wherein the modification is selected from the group consisting of crosslinking, curing, vulcanization, hardening, bonding, oxidation, and combinations thereof.