Porous organic cages for gas separations

Abstract

Gases have played a crucial role in various industries, spanning from manufacturing and medicine to electronics. In these industries, the attainment of pure gases through effective separation methods has been recognized as essential. Porous materials-based adsorption and separation technologies have garnered significant attention due to their advantageous features, including low energy consumption and simplified operational procedures. Among these materials, porous organic cages (POCs) have emerged as a promising class, constructed by individually designed macromolecules possessing inherent cavities that are tailor-made, soluble, easily regenerated, and amenable to precise modifications. Analogous to well-established porous framework materials like zeolites, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), POCs have exhibited their intrinsic potential for gas separation applications in recent years. In this review, we delve into the progress achieved in the realm of POCs, with a particular focus on their utilization for selective gas separation. Moreover, we present an outlook on the future prospects of this field, along with the existing challenges that demand further attention.