Direct Utilization of Elemental Sulfur in the Synthesis of Microporous Polymers for Natural Gas Sweetening

Cobalt-Catalyzed Cascade C-H Activation/Annulation Polymerizations toward Diversified and Multifunctional Sulfur-Containing Fused Heterocyclic Polymers

Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H activation has greatly benefited the synthesis and development of functional polymer materials, and the construction of multifunctional fused (hetero)cyclic polymers via novel C-H activation-based polyannulations has emerged as a charming but challenging area in recent years. Herein, we report the first cobalt(III)-catalyzed cascade C-H activation/annulation polymerization (CAAP) approach that can efficiently transform readily available aryl thioamides and internal diynes into multifunctional sulfur-containing fused heterocyclic (SFH) polymers. Within merely 3 h, a series of SFH polymers bearing complex and multisubstituted S,N-doped polycyclic units are facilely and efficiently produced with high molecular weights (absolute Mn up to 220400) in excellent yields (up to 99%), which are hard to achieve by traditional methods. The intermediate-terminated SFH polymer can be used as a reactive macromonomer to controllably extend or modify polymer main chains. The structural diversity can be further enriched through facile S-oxidation and N-methylation reactions of the SFH polymers. Benefiting from the unique structures, the obtained polymers exhibit excellent solution processability, high thermal and morphological stability, efficient and readily tunable aggregate-state fluorescence, stimuli-responsive properties, and high and UV-modulatable refractive indices of up to 1.8464 at 632.8 nm. These properties allow the SFH polymers to be potentially applied in diverse fields, including metal ion detection, photodynamic killing of cancer cells, fluorescent photopatterning, and gradient-index optical materials.

Probe sonication-assisted rapid synthesis of highly fluorescent sulfur quantum dots

A new type of heavy-metal free single-element nanomaterial, called sulfur quantum dots (SQDs), has gained significant attention due to its advantages over traditional semiconductor QDs for several biomedical and optoelectronic applications. A straightforward and rapid synthesis approach for preparing highly fluorescent SQDs is needed to utilize this nanomaterial for technological applications. Until now, only a few synthesis approaches have been reported; however, these approaches are associated with long reaction times and low quantum yields (QY). Herein, we propose a novel optimized strategy to synthesize SQDs using a mix of probe sonication and heating, which reduces the reaction time usually needed from 125 h to a mere 15 min. The investigation employs cavitation and vibration effects of high energy acoustic waves to break down the bulk sulfur into nano-sized particles in the presence of highly alkaline medium and oleic acid. In contrast to previous reports, the obtained SQDs exhibited excellent aqueous solubility, desirable photostability, and a relatively high photoluminescence QY up to 10.4% without the need of any post-treatment. Additionally, the as-synthesized SQDs show excitation-dependent emission and excellent stability in different pH (2-12) and temperature (20 °C-80 °C) environments. Hence, this strategy opens a new pathway for rapid synthesis of SQDs and may facilitate the use of these materials for biomedical and optoelectronic applications.

Porous organic polymers for CO2 capture, separation and conversion

Porous organic polymers (POPs) have long been considered as prime candidates for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, separation, and conversion. Especially their permanent porosity, structural tunability, stability and relatively low cost are key factors in such considerations. Whereas heteratom-rich microporous networks as well as their amine impregnation/functionalization have been actively exploited to boost the CO2 affinity of POPs, recently, the focus has shifted to engineering the pore environment, resulting in a new generation of highly microporous POPs rich in heteroatoms and featuring abundant catalytic sites for the capture and conversion of CO2 into value-added products. In this review, we aim to provide key insights into structure-property relationships governing the separation, capture and conversion of CO2 using POPs and highlight recent advances in the field.

A Zn-S aqueous primary battery with high energy and flat discharge plateau

We demonstrate a disposable aqueous primary battery chemistry that comprises environmentally benign materials of the sulfur cathode and Zn anode in a 1 M ZnCl₂ aqueous electrolyte. The Zn-S battery shows a high energy density of 1083.3 Wh kg^-1 for sulphur with a flat discharge voltage plateau around 0.7 V. When operating at a high mass loading of 8.3 mg cm^-2 for sulfur in the cathode, the battery exhibits a very high areal capacity of 11.4 mA h cm^-2 and areal energy of 7.7 mW h cm^-2.

Precisely Alternating Copolymerization of Episulfides and Isothiocyanates: A Practical Route to Construct Sulfur-Rich Polymers

The development of a controlled and reliable method to construct well-defined sulfur-containing polymers has sparked great interest in polymer science. Herein, we present the trial on the copolymerization of isothiocyanates with episulfides in the presence of organic onium salts, which provides direct access to a class of sulfur-rich polymers. This methodology has combined advantages of simple operation, no metals, mild conditions (25-100 °C), controlled polymerization performance (M_n > 10⁵ g mol^-1, Đ < 1.3), and high reactivity (turnover frequency over 1000 h^-1). The metal-free feature and versatility of the easily accessible monomers, along with fine adjustment of the final properties enable this strategy to be a feasible approach to produce sulfur-rich polymers (16 examples).

A Three‐Dimensional Porous Organic Semiconductor Based on Fully sp2‐Hybridized Graphitic Polymer

Dimensionality plays an important role in the charge transport properties of organic semiconductors. Although three‐dimensional semiconductors, such as Si, are common in inorganic materials, imparting electrical conductivity to covalent three‐dimensional organic polymers is challenging. Now, the synthesis of a three‐dimensional π‐conjugated porous organic polymer (3D p‐POP) using catalyst‐free Diels–Alder cycloaddition polymerization followed by acid‐promoted aromatization is presented. With a surface area of 801 m2 g−1, full conjugation throughout the carbon backbone, and an electrical conductivity of 6(2)×10−4 S cm−1 upon treatment with I2 vapor, the 3D p‐POP is the first member of a new class of permanently porous 3D organic semiconductors.

A Three-Dimensional Porous Organic Semiconductor Based on Fully sp2 -Hybridized Graphitic Polymer

Dimensionality plays an important role in the charge transport properties of organic semiconductors. Although three-dimensional semiconductors, such as Si, are common in inorganic materials, imparting electrical conductivity to covalent three-dimensional organic polymers is challenging. Now, the synthesis of a three-dimensional π-conjugated porous organic polymer (3D p-POP) using catalyst-free Diels-Alder cycloaddition polymerization followed by acid-promoted aromatization is presented. With a surface area of 801 m2  g-1 , full conjugation throughout the carbon backbone, and an electrical conductivity of 6(2)×10-4  S cm-1 upon treatment with I2 vapor, the 3D p-POP is the first member of a new class of permanently porous 3D organic semiconductors.

Copolymerization of an aryl halide and elemental sulfur as a route to high sulfur content materials

RASP (radical-induced aryl halide-sulfur polymerization) is reported as a new route to high sulfur-content materials.

Gas Permeation of Sulfur Thin-Films and Potential as a Barrier Material

Elemental sulfur was formed into poly(ether sulfone)-supported thin-films (ca. 10 µm) via a melt-casting process. Observed permeabilities of C2H4, CO2, H2, He, and N2 through the sulphur thin-films were <1 barrer. The sulfur thin-films were observed to age over a period of ca. 15 days, related to the reversion of polymerized sulfur to the S8 allotrope. This structural conversion was observed to correlate with an increase in the permeability of all gases.

Synthesis and Applications of Polymers Made by Inverse Vulcanization

Elemental sulfur is an abundant and inexpensive chemical feedstock, yet it is underused as a starting material in chemical synthesis. Recently, a process coined inverse vulcanization was introduced in which elemental sulfur is converted into polymers by ring-opening polymerization, followed by cross-linking with an unsaturated organic molecule such as a polyene. The resulting materials have high sulfur content (typically 50-90% sulfur by mass) and display a range of interesting properties such as dynamic S-S bonds, redox activity, high refractive indices, mid-wave IR transparency, and heavy metal affinity. These properties have led to a swell of applications of these polymers in repairable materials, energy generation and storage, optical devices, and environmental remediation. This article will discuss the synthesis of polymers by inverse vulcanization and review case studies on their diverse applications. An outlook is also presented to discuss future opportunities and challenges for further advancement of polymers made by inverse vulcanization.

Sulfur polymer composites as controlled-release fertilisers

Sulfur polymer composites were prepared by the reaction of canola oil and elemental sulfur in the presence of the NPK fertiliser components ammonium sulfate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, and potassium chloride. These composites released nutrients in a controlled fashion, resulting in less wasted fertiliser and better health for potted tomato plants when compared to free NPK.

Ultrasonication-promoted synthesis of luminescent sulfur nano-dots for cellular imaging applications

An ultrasonication-promoted strategy was proposed to synthesize luminescent sulfur nanodots, reducing the synthesis time from 5 days to several hours.

Recent advances in the polymerization of elemental sulphur, inverse vulcanization and methods to obtain functional Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers (CHIPs)

Recent developments in the polymerization of elemental sulfur, inverse vulcanization and functional Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers (CHIPs) are reviewed.

Porous Organic Polymers for Post-Combustion Carbon Capture

One of the most pressing environmental concerns of our age is the escalating level of atmospheric CO₂ . Intensive efforts have been made to investigate advanced porous materials, especially porous organic polymers (POPs), as one type of the most promising candidates for carbon capture due to their extremely high porosity, structural diversity, and physicochemical stability. This review provides a critical and in-depth analysis of recent POP research as it pertains to carbon capture. The definitions and terminologies commonly used to evaluate the performance of POPs for carbon capture, including CO₂ capacity, enthalpy, selectivity, and regeneration strategies, are summarized. A detailed correlation study between the structural and chemical features of POPs and their adsorption capacities is discussed, mainly focusing on the physical interactions and chemical reactions. Finally, a concise outlook for utilizing POPs for carbon capture is discussed, noting areas in which further work is needed to develop the next-generation POPs for practical applications.

Chemically Activated Covalent Triazine Frameworks with Enhanced Textural Properties for High Capacity Gas Storage

Chemical activation of porous/nonporous materials to achieve high surface area sorbents with enhanced textural properties is a very promising strategy. The chemical activation using KOH, however, could lead to broad distribution of pores originating from the simultaneous pore deepening and widening pathways. Accordingly, establishing correlation between the chemical/textural properties of starting porous/nonporous materials and various pore formation mechanisms is quite critical to realize superior porosity and gas uptake properties. Here, we show that the chemical and textural properties of starting porous organic polymers, that is, covalent triazine frameworks (CTF), have profound effect on the resulting porosity of the frameworks. The chemical activation of microporous CTF-1 using KOH at 700 °C enabled the preparation of chemically activated CTF-1, caCTF-1-700, which predominantly showed pore deepening, leading to an increased surface area of 2367 m² g^-1 and significantly enhanced gas adsorption properties with CO₂ uptake capacities up to 6.0 mmol g^-1 at 1 bar and 1.45 mmol g^-1 at 0.15 bar and 273 K along with a isosteric heats of adsorption (Q_st) of 30.6 kJ mol^-1. In addition, a remarkable H₂ uptake capacity of 2.46 and 1.66 wt % at 77 and 87 K, 1 bar along with the Q_st value of 10.95 kJ mol^-1 at zero coverage was also observed for the caCTF-1-700. Notably, the activation of mesoporous CTF-2 under the same conditions was accompanied by a decrease in its surface area and also in the conversion of mesopores into the micropores, thus leading to a pore deepening/narrowing rather than widening. We attributed this result to the presence of reactive weak spots, triazine moieties, for the chemical activation reaction within the CTF backbone. These results collectively suggest the critical role of chemical and pore characteristics of porous organic polymers in chemical activation to realize solid-sorbents for high capacity gas storage applications.