In this article, a facile strategy was developed to prepare BA-MMA-GMA/MWNTs (multiwalled carbon nanotubes) hybrid nanoparticles as nanofillers in rubber by single-step grafting technique. First, a new macromolecular surface modifier butyl acrylate (BA)-alpha-methyl methacrylate(MMA)-glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) terpolymer was synthesized via radical copolymerization. Afterward, this terpolymer modifier was covalently grafted onto the surface of crude MWNTs by single-step grafting technique. The structure, surface properties, and thermal stability of modified MWNTs were systematically investigated by FTIR, TGA, and TEM. FTIR results showed that BA-MMA-GMA terpolymer was successfully grafted onto the surface of MWNTs. TGA indicated that the optimum mass fraction of macromolecular modifier coated on the surface of MWNTs was 9 wt %. TEM images revealed that an organic coating layer was formed and the modified MWNTs showed good dispersibility in acetone. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 282-289, 2011