UCLA

Here I describe the synthesis and characterization of a new Covalent Triazine Framework (CTF) with the potential to coordinatively link organometallic complexes inside the pores for enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption and for control of the electronic transport properties of the framework. An N-heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) precursor is synthesized and then used to construct a CTF through the trimerization of 1,3-bis(4-cyanophenyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium in molten ZnCl2. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) studies and Selective Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) reveal the highly crystalline nature of the resulting framework, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis demonstrates a high specific surface area up to 850 m2/g with high H2 and CO2 uptakes.