Optimization and kinetics of crown ether-based hydroxyl-rich organic polymers for sustainable CO2 fixation and iodine vapor adsorption

A series of hydroxyl-rich crown ether-based organic polymers chelating potassium iodide were constructed via a phenolic–condensation reaction and characterized, which were immediately applied to CO2 fixation reactions and iodine vapor adsorption. CHOP@KIs possess micropores and a specific surface area of only 5.16 m2 g−1; however, experimental results manifested that the polymer has good catalytic properties and iodine vapor adsorption capacity. CHOP@KI-1 catalyzed the CO2 cycloaddition reaction with a conversion rate of up to 97.5% under ideal reaction conditions and exhibited good recyclability and outstanding substrate fitness. From the kinetics, the activation energy was calculated to be 56.55 kJ mol−1. Furthermore, the iodine capture property of CHOP@KIs was investigated, and the adsorption capacities were 1.47 g g−1, 1.38 g g−1 and 1.60 g g−1 respectively. The kinetics of iodine adsorption by CHOP@KIs followed a pseudo-first-order model and the initial stage of adsorption is controlled by membrane diffusion.