Carbon dioxide capture in the presence of water by an amine-based crosslinked porous polymer

An amine-functionalized, crosslinked porous polymer is synthesized by linking 1,4-benzenediamine and pyrrole with p-formaldehyde in the presence of hydrochloric acid catalyst. The resulting polymer was structurally characterized and proven permanently porous with a surface area of 305 m2 g−1. The high concentration of amines (–NH– and –NH2) within the backbone of the polymer result in exceptional selectivity (141) for CO2 over N2 and dynamic capacity (15.1 cm3 g−1) in the presence of water (20 : 80 v/v CO2 : N2, 91% relative humidity, 1 bar, and 298 K). The performance of this polymer is maintained over 45 cycles without loss of selectivity, capacity, nor recyclability at room temperature; making it stand out among all porous organic materials used for carbon capture.