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In this article, an easy, effective, π-π conjugation non-covalent surface functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was achieved by using ball grinding technology between pristine MWCNTs and esterified styrene-maleic anhydride ester (ESMA) copolymer, resulting in the formation of modified E-MWCNTs dispersion with excellent dispersibility and long storage stability in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The analysis of transmittance spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy, sedimentation photo, and transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) confirms that the modified E-MWCNT dispersion has a homogeneous dispersion in NMP. Results obtained from thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy reveal that ESMA copolymer is successfully coated on pristine MWCNTs surface. Compared with the bad dispersibility of MWCNTs in NMP, the physically modified E-MWCNTs-3 dispersion mixed with 0.12wt% ESMA copolymer under the condition of total 6 h ball grinding time using paint shaker can be easily well-dispersed and has good storage stability, and no sedimentation is observed more than 3 months. Furthermore, the method is simple and economical to operate in industry. An easy, effective, π-π conjugation non-covalent surface functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was achieved by using ball grinding technology between pristine MWCNTs and esterified styrene-maleic anhydride ester (ESMA) copolymer, resulting in the formation of modified E-MWCNTs dispersion with excellent dispersibility and long storage stability reported firstly in N-methylpyrrolidone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]