Surface functionalization of CNTs (SWCNTs or MWCNTs) with dendronized alkoxy terpyridine-Ru(II)-terpyridine complexes has been accomplished using either the "grafting to" or the "grafting from" approaches. Different sets of easily processable hybrid metallo-CNTs composites have been efficiently synthesized bearing either monomeric or polymeric side chain tpy-Ru(II)-tpy dicomplexes. Their characterization through TGA, UV-Vis, and Raman techniques revealed various modification degrees depending on the methodology employed. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2551-2559, 2009