Light-Triggered CO Breathing Foam via Nonsurfactant High Internal Phase Emulsion.

Solid materials for CO capture and storage have attracted enormous attention for gaseous separation, environmental protection, and climate governance. However, their preparation and recovery meet the problems of high energy and financial cost. Herein, a controllable CO capture and storage process is accomplished in an emulsion-templated polymer foam, in which CO is breathed-in under dark and breathed-out under light illumination. Such a process is likely to become a relay of natural CO capture by plants that on the contrary breathe out CO at night. Recyclable CO capture at room temperature and release under light irradiation guarantee its convenient and cost-effective regeneration in industry. Furthermore, CO mixed with CH is successfully separated through this reversible breathing in and out system, which offers great promise for CO enrichment and practical methane purification.