Two ionic liquid monomers, 1-(2-acryloyloxy-ethyl)-3-methyl-imidazol-1-ium iodide (AMImI) and 1-(2-acryloyloxy-ethyl)-3-methyl-benzoimidazol-1-ium iodide (AMBImI), were synthesized and polymerized through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Poly(AMImI)-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (denoted as MWCNT-poly(AMImI)) could also be fabricated through "grafting from" method of ATRP using bromo-functionalized MWCNT (denoted as MWCNT-Br) as initiator but MWCNT-poly(AMBImI) could not. Based on the thermogravimetric analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, AMBImI monomer has encapsulated the MWCNT-Br probably through the pi-pi: and cation-pi interactions invalidating the initiation capability of MWCNT-Br. Besides, by mixing AMBImI with MWCNT-Br directly at room temperature, the MWCNT-Br was coated with a thin layer of AMBImI, whereas MWCNT-Br could not physisorb AMImI. Both MWCNT-poly(AMImI) and AMBImI-encapsulated MWCNT were dispersed well in 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide ionic liquid. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.