CO2-responsive polymers

Abstract

This Review focuses on the recent progress in the area of CO 2-responsive polymers and provides detailed descriptions of these existing examples. CO2-responsive polymers can be categorized into three types based on their CO2-responsive groups: amidine, amine, and carboxyl groups. Compared with traditional temperature, pH, or light stimuli-responsive polymers, CO2-responsive polymers provide the advantage to use CO2 as a "green" trigger as well as to capture CO2 directly from air. In addition, the current challenges of CO2-responsive polymers are discussed and the different solution methods are compared. Noteworthy, CO2-responsive polymers are considered to have a prosperous future in various scientific areas. CO 2-responsive polymers receive enormous attention due to CO 2 as a "green" trigger. This Review highlights the recent progress in this field. The designs of molecular structures, underlying mechanisms, and potential applications of CO2-responsive polymers are analyzed. Possible future developments and perspectives of CO 2-responsive polymers are also discussed. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.