Chapter 11:Designing Functional Porous Organic Frameworks for Gas Storage and Separation

Over the past decade, considerable progress has been made in the targeted synthesis of porous organic polymers (POPs) and their use in gas storage and separation. POPs are prepared by versatile synthetic avenues from purely organic building blocks and can be tailored to possess specific textural and chemical properties to enhance their performance. This chapter provides an overview of the synthesis strategies for preparing highly porous POPs with special emphasis on the design and functionalization of the frameworks at the molecular level for improved gas storage like hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. In addition, the performance of POPs in carbon dioxide separation from nitrogen and methane is discussed. The chemical composition and physical properties of POPs can be controlled by both pre-synthesis and post-synthesis modification steps. The resultant functionalized networks enable effective gas separation which is very important for natural gas purification and mitigating CO2 release to the atmosphere. Finally, we present the current challenges and opportunities in the development and use of POPs.