Rapid adsorption of iodine from water and reversible capture of iodine vapor using stilbene-crosslinked porous organic polymers

In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of neutral and ionic porous organic polymers with significant porosity. The polymers exhibited high iodine vapor capture capacities up to ~2.41 gg−1 and also displayed rapid adsorption of iodine from water within 5 min of shaking. The polymers also showed excellent recyclability over multiple cycles. More importantly, dynamic flow-through experiments confirmed their potential as filtration materials for practical applications. Selectivity studies revealed that both polymers maintained high iodine removal efficiency even in the presence of competing anions such as bromide, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, underscoring their robustness in complex environments. These findings highlight the significant potential of these polymers in filtration, and adsorption processes, particularly for iodine capture and removal from nuclear waste water. [Display omitted] •Ionic porous organic polymer exhibits efficient and rapid iodine adsorption from water.•High iodine vapor capture (2.41 g·g−1)•Excellent recyclability (≥4 times)•Can be used as filtration material for water remediation