Carboxy-functionalized polyimide aerogel monoliths: synthesis, characterization and carbon dioxide adsorption

Conventional organic microporous materials have high CO 2 adsorption performance, however, their synthesis process is is quite complex and difficult to achieve industrial applications. In this study, carboxy functionalized polyimide aerogels were successfully synthesized by polycondensation reactions at room temperature. This material is not only simple, but also suitable for industrial production applications. The experimental results indicate that the aerogel is classified as a mesoporous material. The onset decomposition temperature of polyimide aerogels is above 440 °C. This implies that polyimide aerogels have excellent thermal stability. Among them, the largest specific surface area is 250.91 m 2 /g and has considerable CO 2 adsorption properties. The maximum adsorption capacity of CO 2 is 17.1 cm 3 /g for BDPI-5 at 273 K and 1 bar, which is comparable to those of previously reported porous organic polymers. The mild and convenient synthesis method and high CO 2 adsorption capacity indicate that the polyimide aerogel with carboxyl is suitable as a good candidate material for CO 2 adsorption.