Facile Fabrication of Functional Mesoporous Polymer Nanospheres for CO2 Capture

Rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere have prompted new research into materials/processes/techniques for CO2 capture. Herein, we describe a facile preparation method of functional mesoporous polymer nanoparticles bearing quaternary ammonium ions and hydroxide counter ions with high pore volume and surface area. The as-synthesized materials were employed as a highly efficient material for CO2 capture. Copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride via surface confined atom transfer radical polymerization (SC-ATRP) from the bromofunctionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles led to the synthesis of a mesoporous silica/polymer hybrid. A detailed kinetic investigation established the controlled nature of polymerization. Elimination of the silica template led to the production of -CH2Cl-functionalized mesoporous polymer nanoparticles, which were subsequently converted to -CH2NMe3+OH--functionalized mesoporous polymer nanoparticles, appropriate for CO2 capture investigation. Depending on the amount of -CH2NMe3+OH- functionality, the CO(2 )absorption capability can be tuned.