A solution-processable and ultra-permeable conjugated microporous thermoset for selective hydrogen separation.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 32242012.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-020-15503-6 and PMC identifier 7118162.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The synthesis of a polymer that combines the processability of plastics with the extreme rigidity of cross-linked organic networks is highly attractive for molecular sieving applications. However, cross-linked networks are typically insoluble or infusible, preventing them from being processed as plastics. Here, we report a solution-processable conjugated microporous thermoset with permanent pores of ~0.4 nm, prepared by a simple heating process. When employed as a two-dimensional molecular sieving membrane for hydrogen separation, the membrane exhibits ultrahigh permeability with good selectivity for H<sub>2</sub> over CO<sub>2</sub>, O<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub> and C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>. The combined processability, structural rigidity and easy feasibility make this polymeric membrane promising for large-scale hydrogen separations of commercial and environmental relevance.