Synthesis and CO2 Capture Behavior of Porous Cross-Linked Polymers Containing Pendant Triazole Groups

Porous cross-linked polymers containing pendant triazole groups were synthesized from glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in the presence of divinylbenzene via high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating method followed by functionalization with sodium 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATANa). They were characterized with FTIR, SEM, BET, and mercury intrusion and assessed as CO2 adsorbents. With interconnected hierarchical porous structure and abundant triazole groups which absorbed CO2 chemically in 1:1 stoichiometry, the adsorbents exhibited high CO2 adsorption capacity (3.6 mmol g–1, at 25 °C and 1 atm) and rate, and good CO2/N2 selectivity (∼30). The adsorbents also displayed easy CO2 desorption with medium desorption heat (58 kJ/mol CO2), acceptable moisture endurance, and excellent recyclability. The results suggest that these functionalized porous polymers are potential adsorbents for CO2 capture.