Nanoporous Polymers Containing Stereocontorted Cores for Hydrogen Storage

This paper reports synthesis of several nanoporous polymers containing stereocontorted cores for hydrogen storage. The spirobifluorene and tetraphenylmethane cores were used as the building blocks for the cross-linked polymers. Trimerizations of acetylinic compounds or oxidative coupling of thiophenyl compound were used for the polymerization. Characterizations on structures and hydrogen storage capacities of the resulting polymers were performed. It was found that the polymers thus prepared generally have a narrow pore size distribution, and specific surface areas up to 1000 m2/g were obtained. It was shown that the reaction conditions affect the size of nanopores and the surface areas. Hydrogen adsorption capacities at liquid nitrogen and ambient temperatures were measured using a Sievert isotherm apparatus.