Fluorinated porous organic polymers for efficient adsorption of charged organic micropollutants from water

Organic micropollutants, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals, have consistently been a widespread problem for the past century and continue to threaten life on earth. Conventional water treatment methods are often inadequate for removing these persistent contaminants, highlighting the need for more effective adsorbents. In this study, we introduce a novel fluorinated-imidazolinium-based covalent organic polymer (FCOP-222) designed for the selective removal of charged organic micropollutants from water. Synthesized via a one-pot polycondensation reaction using tetrafluoroterephthalaldehyde and ammonium chloride, FCOP-222 combines the stability of imidazolinium functional groups with the hydrophobic and electrostatic properties of fluorinated linkers. An unexpected post-modification was also observed from dimethyl amine substitution of fluorines. FCOP-222 exhibits high selectivity and remarkable adsorption performance for charged micropollutants, including pharmaceuticals such as propranolol, sulfamethoxazole, and diclofenac. The material's activity is driven by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, providing efficient removal across a wide pH range. Moreover, FCOP-222 shows excellent reusability, maintaining its adsorption capacity over multiple cycles. This study demonstrates the potential of FCOP-222 as a scalable, sustainable solution for the removal of harmful micropollutants from contaminated water sources, offering a promising avenue for future environmental remediation technologies.