Conjugated microporous polymers containing ferrocene units for high carbon dioxide uptake and energy storage

In this study, we employed facile aminative cyclizations (Chichibabin pyridine reactions) of 1,1′-diacetylferrocene (AFC) with aryl aldehydes to prepare conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) containing ferrocene moieties, for supercapacitor applications. The chemical structure of these AFC-CMPs frameworks was proved by using FTIR and solid 13 C NMR spectroscopies. All these AFC-CMPs featured outstanding thermal stability with decomposition temperature ( T d10 ) ranging from 309 to 337 °C and also these AFC-CMPs possess an amorphous structure with BET values in the range 72–341 m 2 g −1 . Among our tested systems, the BP-FC-CMP electrode achieved the highest specific capacitance of 608 F g −1 at a 0.5 A g −1 and the highest capacity retention of 97.47% after 2000 cycles and good CO 2 ability uptake. This behavior arose from its high porosity facilitating redox reactions with faster kinetics. These novel metal-free CMPs have promise for application in secondary energy devices. • Conjugated microporous polymers containing ferrocene moieties were successfully constructed. • Our AFC-CMPs possessed outstanding thermal stability and suitable surface areas. • The amounts of CO 2 adsorbed by BP-FC-CMP were 1.3 and 2.22 mmol g −1 at 298 and 273 K: respectively. • The BP-FC-CMP electrode achieved the highest specific capacitance and capacity retention.