A class of crystalline porous thermosetting polymers: scalable thermomolding synthesis and propylene purification
摘要
Designing and synthesizing crystalline porous thermosetting polymers (CPTPs) with ordered porous structures remains a significant challenge. Herein, we create a strategy to prepare CPTPs by synthesizing covalent organic framework (COF) monoliths using the solvent-free flux synthesis method. An olefin-linked COF with an ultramicroporous structure is fabricated, exhibiting good crystallites, excellent chemical stability, and periodic ultramicroporous structures. Similar to traditional thermosetting polymers, the COF undergoes a melt→curing process that generates robust monoliths with good mechanical properties. Impressively, this COF monolith exhibits outstanding thermal insulation and flame-retardancy properties. Moreover, the distinctive pore environment and optimal pore dimensions of the COF facilitate a pronounced separation effect for C3H4/C3H6. Gas mixture breakthrough experiments confirm that this COF can efficiently remove trace amounts of C3H4 from C3H4/C3H6 (0.1/99.9 and 1/99, v/v) mixtures to produce highly pure propylene. This work bridges the gap between thermosetting polymers and COFs, and points out a new direction for thermosetting polymers.