Cost-Effective Porous Organic Polymer Synthesis

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) pose major threats to warfighters and civilians during incidents of terrorism, major spills, and related chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. Versatile protective materials must be rapidly developed and improved upon to sequester and destroy these toxic compounds. Porous organic polymers (POPs) are a class of materials which have demonstrated effective decontamination against CWAs and TICs by providing both high surface areas for rapid agent uptake and functionalization potential for the installation of decontaminating groups. However, POP synthesis suffers from processing limitations and typically involves the use of costly starting materials, both of which inhibit large-scale production. Luna Labs has partnered with Prof. Yan Xia of Stanford University to develop cost-effective, scalable, reactive POPs that are highly soluble and easily processed into functional forms.