LAUSR

Searching for highly efficient and robust CO2 adsorbents is very important for CO2 capture, utilization, and storage. In this study, new polyethylenimine-grafted metal–organic framework (MOF)–polymer composites, abbreviated as PEI@PGD-H, were synthesized via high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) template polymerization of divinylbenzene and glycidyl methacrylate, followed by in situ generation of HKUST-type MOF in the presence of hydrophobic-modified CuO nanoparticles via the reaction of CuO with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid and then polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalization via epoxy–amine reaction and amine–metal sites interaction. The coexistence of the hierarchical interconnected porous skeleton of poly(glycidyl methacrylate–divinylbenzene) (PGD), high specific surface area of MOF, and chemical CO2 adsorption of PEI endows PEI@PGD-H with high CO2 adsorption capacity, rate, and selectivity. PEI70@PGD-H shows a CO2/N2 separation factor as high as 76 and CO2 adsorption capacities of 4.3, 3.0, and 1.8 mmo...