Hyper-Cross-Linked Organic Microporous Polymers Based on Alternating Copolymerization of Bismaleimide

A novel type of hyper-cross-linked organic microporous polymer (HOMP) has been successfully prepared based on the radical copolymerization of bismaleimides and divinylbenzene. In comparison with the HOMPs prepared with cross-linking techniques, the new radical strategy circumvents some intractable problems, such as low atom economy, structure irregularity and corrosive byproducts. The obtained HOMPs have defined molecular structures due to the intrinsic alternating copolymerization properties of the two monomers. A maximum BET surface area of 841 m2 g-1 and high gas capture capacity (CO2, 11.22 wt %, 273 K/1.0 bar; H2, 0.82 wt %, 77.3 K/1.0 bar; benzene, 545 mg g-1, room temperature/0.6 bar; and cyclohexane, 1736 mg g-1, room temperature/0.6 bar) were achieved. In addition, the polymers also displayed good chemical and thermal stability, which is critical for the practical application.