Microporous Polymer Networks for Carbon Capture Applications

A new generation of porous polymer networks has been obtained in quantitative yield by reacting two rigid trifunctional aromatic monomers (1,3,5-triphenylbenzene and triptycene) with two ketones having electron-withdrawing groups (trifluoroacetophenone and isatin) in superacidic media. The resulting amorphous networks are microporous materials, with moderate Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface areas (from 580 to 790 m² g^-1), and have high thermal stability. In particular, isatin yields networks with a very high narrow microporosity contribution, 82% for triptycene and 64% for 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene. The existence of favorable interactions between lactams and CO₂ molecules has been stated. The materials show excellent CO₂ uptakes (up to 207 mg g^-1 at 0 °C/1 bar) and can be regenerated by vacuum, without heating. Under postcombustion conditions, their CO₂/N₂ selectivities are comparable to those of other organic porous networks. Because of the easily scalable synthetic method and their favorable characteristics, these materials are very promising as industrial adsorbents.