Controllable synthesis of multi-scale conjugated microporous polymer

Abstract

As it was firstly reported in 2007, conjugated microporous polymer (CMP) has been constructed by a diversity of conjugation building blocks towards a three-dimensional rigid organic framework with the form of insoluble and infusible solid powders. Although CMP has showed the collective characteristics such as exceptional porosity, stable network structure and versatile functionality for potential applications and broad prospects in many fields, the problem of processability concerning this kind of material has not been overcome yet. To take full advantage of their features and break through the application scopes from adsorption and separation to energy and environment such as photoelectric transformation, sensing and catalysis, modulation of growth and formation of CMP in multiple scales is highly anticipated, giving rise to the micro/ nanometer-size CMP microspheres and macroscopic CMP films, coatings or gels. Unambiguously, such well-organized forms either have the improved solution properties for further processing, or appear membranes directly assembled into devices. Looking back at the progress of CMP studies in recent years, there are four strategies reported to explore multi-scale CMPs, including (1) soluble CMP-like polymer, (2) solution-dispersible CMP microspheres, (3) CMP-based (composite) film, and (4) CMP-supporting organogel. In these studies, the novel polymerization methods, new catalysts or functional monomers were adopted; the resulting CMPs could be processed, assembled or combined with other materials in solution, and have greatly promoted the performances of optical sensing, photoelectric conversion, energy storage and heterogeneous catalysis on intended devices. It is noted that the reported methodologies have some limitation, but upon the creative ideas and vast explorations, CMP is going to be one important branch of porous materials with promising perspectives.