Triptycene based 1,2,3-triazole linked network polymers (TNPs): small gas storage and selective CO2 capture

Herein, facile synthesis and characterization of four triazole linked network polymers (TNPs) in high yields is described. These nitrogen rich polymers are derived using a click reaction between 2,6,14-triazido triptycene and various di- or triethynyl comonomers. The TNPs are microporous and exhibit high surface area (SABET up to 1348 m(2) g(-1)). Due to the incorporation of the 1,2,3-triazole motif (a CO2-philic moiety), the TNPs record moderate to high CO2 uptake (up to 4.45 mmol g(-1) at 273 K and 1 bar). The TNPs also show very good CO2/N-2 (up to 48) and CO2/CH4 (89) selectivity. While the highest storage capacity has been registered by TNP4 (CO2 4.45 mmol g(-1) at 273 K and 1 bar, CH4 23.8 mg g(-1), H-2 1.8 wt%), the highest CO2/N-2 and CO2/CH4 selectivity is shown by TNP3 which contains additional nitrogen rich building blocks in the form of heteroaromatic pyrazine rings. These results suggest that TNPs are porous materials with potential practical application in gas storage and separation.