Synthesis of Porous Organic Polymers with Tunable Amine Loadings for CO2 Capture: Balanced Physisorption and Chemisorption

The cross-coupling reaction of 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene with terephthaloyl chloride gives a novel ynone-linked porous organic polymer. Tethering alkyl amine species on the polymer induces chemisorption of CO2 as revealed by the studies of ex situ infrared spectroscopy. By tuning the amine loading content on the polymer, relatively high CO2 adsorption capacities, high CO2-over-N2 selectivity, and moderate isosteric heat (Qst) of adsorption of CO2 can be achieved. Such amine-modified polymers with balanced physisorption and chemisorption of CO2 are ideal sorbents for post-combustion capture of CO2 offering both high separation and high energy efficiencies.