the present invention is directed to aryl halide functionalized carbon nanotubes that can be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer - carbon nanotube materials with improved dispersion ability in polymer matrices . in this process the aryl halide is reacted with an alkyllithium species or is reacted with a metal to replace the aryl - bromine bond with an aryl - lithium or aryl - metal bond , respectively . it has further been discovered that other functionalized carbon nanotubes , after deprotonation with a deprotonation agent , can similarly be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer - carbon nanotube materials . additionally or alternatively , a ring opening polymerization process can be performed . the resultant materials can be used by themselves due to their enhanced strength and reinforcement ability when compared to their unbound polymer analogs . additionally , these materials can also be blended with pre - formed polymers to establish compatibility and enhanced dispersion of nanotubes in otherwise hard to disperse matrices resulting in significantly improved material properties . the resultant polymer - carbon nanotube materials can also be used in drug delivery processes due to their improved dispersion ability and biodegradability , and can also be used for scaffolding to promote cellular growth of tissue .