Effective removal of aromatic pollutants via adsorption and photocatalysis of porous organic frameworks

PAF-45 with a wholly aromatic framework, intrinsic microporosity and π–π conjugation system shows excellent performance in aromatic pollutant removal. It exhibits a high adsorption capacity for the benzene series and moderate photocatalytic performance. As an adsorbent, PAF-45 can adsorb 35 wt% benzene and 68 wt% chlorobenzene in static adsorption experiments at room temperature and pressure. In benzene simulation wastewater, PAF-45 also shows excellent adsorption capacity, without significant reduction after 10 cycles of the adsorption–desorption process. Moreover, PAF-45 exhibits an impressive photocatalytic degradability of aromatic compounds, like aniline and phenol, under visible light illumination.