A Hyper-Cross-Linked Aerogel with Rigid Conjugated Polymers as Building Blocks for Efficient Iodine Capture
Zhikun Shang, Fangxu Pu, Xuezheng Zhang, Huixian Jin, Shiyong Chen, Yun Ding, Aiguo Hu
Abstract
Porous organic polymers are typically synthesized through coupling reactions between multifunctional monomers. While rich-pore structures can be generated with long building blocks, the synthesis of molecules with functional groups of large spatial separation is challenging. Herein, we report a strategy using conjugated polymers as the long and rigid building blocks. A hyper-cross-linked polymer was synthesized through a click reaction between the internal alkyne units in conjugated polymers and a triazido-compound to give an organogel with a hierarchical porous structure. Benefitting from the rich π electrons and aromatic structures of the hyper-cross-linked polymer networks, the organic aerogel derived from the rigid conjugated polymer-based organogel exhibits a fast adsorption rate and high adsorption capacity for iodine in both aqueous and gas phases. The capture efficiency of the aerogel for iodine in saturated iodine aqueous solution exceeded 80% within 5 min, and the adsorption equilibrium capacity of 3.28 g g –1 for iodine vapor was achieved within 60 min. In addition, the iodine-loaded aerogel has excellent retention in air and can be recycled after thermal release.