A material comprises a carbon nanotube and a methyl methacrylate group covalently bonded to a surface of the carbon nanotube. In some examples, the material can further comprise a polymeric chain appended to the surface of the carbon nanotube via the methyl methacrylate group. In some examples, the polymeric chain can include styrene monomer repeating units and butadiene monomer repeating units. In some examples, the polymeric chain can include a flame retardant moiety appended thereon and/or flame retardant monomer repeating units. In some examples, the carbon nanotube can be incorporated or combined with a resin material to provide a composite component. A method to produce a carbon nanotube having a polymeric chain appended thereto is also described.