One-pot scalable production of conjugated microporous polymers with exceptional functionality

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) are porous polymers that exhibit desirable functionality for a wide range of adsorption applications. Here, we report a one-step scalable approach that exploits moderately high temperature and pressure to overcome these limitations. Remarkably, this method achieves functional CMPs within 1 h with a specific surface area of 925 m² g⁻¹. Extending the reaction time to 5 h further enhances porosity to 1145 m² g⁻¹—a 20-fold improvement over conventional methods (58 m² g⁻¹). The original wide pore size distribution is refined to fall within a covalent organic framework (COF)-like microporous range, allowing the CMPs to function as versatile adsorbents for toxic mercury ions, achieving benchmark performance with an impressive capacity of 1429 mg g⁻¹, surpassing all previously reported materials. In addition, this approach features degas-free and facile scale-up opportunities, opening real possibilities for wide industrial applications of CMPs.