Conjugated Microporous Polycarbazole Networks as Precursors for Nitrogen Enriched Microporous Carbons for CO₂ Storage and Electrochemical Capacitors

Design and synthesis of novel microporous materials have received tremendous attention in both CO₂ storage and sequestration (CSS) and electrochemical energy storage (EES). We report molecular design and synthesis of conjugated microporous polycarbazole networks as new precursors for nitrogen enriched porous carbons in a low-cost pathway, using nitromethane as solvent, in which FeCl3 is fully soluble. As-prepared porous carbons exhibit a high nitrogen content (6.1 wt%), ultramicropore size (0.7-1 nm) and large surface area (1280 m² g^-1). As result, these novel nitrogen enriched carbons show highly efficient and reversible CO₂ capture (can store 20.4 wt% at 1 bar and 11.1 wt% at 0.15 bar and at 273 K, whilst maintain 100% CO₂ uptake capacity after 5 times use). Moreover, they can be applied as electrodes and enable high-performance EES devices with fast charge/discharge rate (8 seconds), high electrochemical capacity (558 F g^-1), and good cycle ability (retain 95% capacity after 1000 cycles).