Spirobixanthene-based microporous polymeric microsphere for gas uptake and vapor adsorption

Abstract

Spirobixanthene-based polymeric monodisperse spheres with particle sizes about 600nm in diameter have been prepared through surfactant-free Suzuki coupling polymerization in a single-phase. The polymer (PSBX) exhibits permanent microporous nature with high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area up to 1020m2g−1. Its hydrogen storage can reach upto 1.67wt% (1.0bar and 77K) and the uptake capacity for carbon dioxide is 12.0wt% (1.0bar and 273K). Interestingly, PSBX is a highly hydrophobic material but with a high methanol uptake (574mgg−1 at saturated vapor pressure and room temperature). The good sorption capacity of PSBX for toluene (887mgg−1 at saturated vapor pressure and room temperature) makes it potent for use in the elimination of harmful small aromatic molecules in the environment.