Amino-bridged covalent organic Polycalix[4]arenes for ultra efficient adsorption of iodine in water

A series of amino-bridged covalent organic polycalix [4]arenes (CaCOPs) were prepared by copolymerization of a modified calix [4]arene intermediate with different P-aryl diamines, and the CaCOPs can be used for iodine uptake in water. Because they possess many effective sorption sites, including triazine groups and macrocyclic π-rich cavities in the skeleton, as well as permanent pores. Among these polymers, CaCOP3 exhibit ultrahigh iodine solution uptake up to 310 wt %. Furthermore, the detailed analyses of iodine-loaded CaCOPs indicated the coexistence of physical and chemical interactions between CaCOPs and iodine. In addition, these polymers can be recycled 5 times while maintaining high removal capacity, demonstrating that CaCOPs are an ideal absorbent material as a class of promising porous materials for environmental remediation.