Noninvasive functionalization of polymers of intrinsic microporosity for enhanced CO2 capture

Modifying sorbents for the purpose of improving carbon dioxide capture often results in the loss of surface area or accessible pores, or both. We report the first noninvasive functionalization of the polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) where inclusion of the amidoxime functionality in PIM-1 increases carbon dioxide capacity up to 17% and micropore surface area by 20% without losing its film forming ability.