Porous Structure, Carbon Dioxide Capture, and Separation in Cross-Linked Porphyrin-Based Polyimides Networks

Three cross-linked porphyrin-based polyimides (PPBPI-H-CR, PPBPI-Mn-CR, and PPBPI-Fe-CR) were synthesized from 5,10,15,20-tetra­(4-aminophenyl)­porphyrin (TAPP) and 2,5-bis­(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4′-phenylethynyl-biphenyl dianhydride (PEPHQDA) via polymerization and thermal cross-linking reactions. Their chemical structures were confirmed by FTIR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR. SEM, XRD, and TEM analyses were used to observe their surface and nature characteristic morphologies as well as pore channels. DSC and TGA were carried out to confirm their cross-linking behaviors and thermal stabilities. PPBPI-H-CR showed the largest specific surface area (733 m² g^–1) and the highest CO₂ uptake (2.26 mmol g^–1 at 273 K and 1 bar) among the PPBPI-CRs. PPBPI-Mn-CR and PPBPI-Fe-CR compared to PPBPI-H-CR exhibited smaller specific surface areas, more uniform pore sizes around 1.2 nm, and larger isosteric heats of adsorption due to the presence of coordination sites for manganese and iron. PPBPI-CRs exhibited separation factors of CO₂/N₂ (31.48, 35.09, and 45.34) and CO₂/CH₄ (13.17, 9.06, and 12.99).