Carboxylic functionalized mesoporous polymers for fast, highly efficient, selective and reversible adsorption of ammonia

Developing an effective method for separation of NH3 from N2, H2 and CO2 is highly desired not only for the advancement of Haber-Bosch process, but also for protection of the environment. Here, we report synthesis of carboxylic functionalized mesoporous polymers by copolymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) and acrylic acid (AA) through a one-pot solvothermal route. The mesoporous structure and acidic site concentration of these polymers can be adjusted by changing the amounts of monomers used. Such polymers display fast, highly efficient and selective adsorption of NH3 that is better than that of most other solid sorbents in the literature, especially in terms of NH3 adsorption selectivity against N2, H2 and CO2. The adsorption of NH3 by these polymers is also highly reversible, making them promising solid sorbents for production of high-purity NH3.