Amino-functionalized hyper-crosslinked resins for enhanced adsorption of carbon dioxide and polar dyes

New amino-functionalized vinylbenzyl chloride/divinylbenzene-based hyper-crosslinked resins (HCLRs) were synthesized with the objective of improving the HCLR polarity and affinity to carbon dioxide and polar dyes. The HCLRs chemical structure and textural properties were investigated and correlated to the adsorption performance of the modified (XDV-NH2) and plain resin (XDV). The functionalization induced a reduction of the HCLR total porosity, while promoting the formation of a highly microporous structure with significant porosity narrower than 1 nm. Tested for CO2 adsorption at 0 degrees C and 25 degrees C, despite a reduced total porosity, the amino-functionalized XDV-NH2 resin showed up to 3 times increased adsorption capacity, higher CO2 heat of adsorption and CO2/N-2 selectivity with respect to the pristine XDV. XDV-NH2 also showed superior equilibrium and dynamic adsorption capacity of indigo carmine from solution with respect to XDV. These results demonstrate that the strategy proposed for the realization of amino-functionalized hyper-crosslinked resins is highly effective to obtain a microporous polymers with a significantly increased polar character and enhanced adsorption of CO2 and polar dyes.