Poly(acrylic acid), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and polyacrylamide functionalized MWNTs were prepared by Ce(IV)-induced redox radical polymerization. The reaction can be conducted in aqueous media at room temperature, and the polymer graft ratio increased with the increase of monomer feed ratio. MWNTs anchored with PAA on the surface are pH sensitive and exhibit a reversible assembly-deas-sembly response in aqueous solution, whereas those coated with PNIPAM are thermally sensitive. All the polymer-functionalized MWNTs are highly soluble in water to give robust stable black solutions. Such water-soluble MWNTs are promising for biological and biomedical applications.