Lecture by Ali Coskun (Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland )
Where: Salón de Actos (Coffee at 11.30 at cafeteria)
Abstract: Porous organic polymers (POPs) attracted [1] a significant deal of attention in recent years due to their permanent porosity, chemical tunability, physicochemical stability and exceptional gas sorption properties. Our main approach in this field is the so-called “bottom-up” approach where the concepts of molecular recognition are being used along with covalent synthesis to arrange molecules to form multifunctional porous networks for addressing energy and environmental challenges. We also actively explore sustainable polymerization strategies for the synthesis of porous materials. In this direction; we have developed [2] POPs incorporating molecular cages/macrocycles as monomeric units and showed that their intrinsic properties such as their ability to bind guest molecules in solution can be transferred into the solid-state for the affinity-based separation of gas mixtures. In an effort to synthesize two-,[3] three-dimensional porous semiconductors,[4] we introduced Diels-Alder cycloaddition polymerization reaction and the resulting polymers studied for their conductivity as well as for atmospheric water uptake prior to aromatization. We also developed sulfur-rich porous materials towards natural gas sweetening [5], Li-sulfur batteries [6] as well as Pd capture from waste conditions [7]. More recently, we have also developed two-dimensional light switchable membranes towards H2/CO2 separation applications. The presentation will focus on the strategies for the synthesis of POPs as well as their energy and environment related applications.
