Citation: Yang Liang, Xiaojuan Zhou, Rui Wang, Julius Rebek Jr, Yang Yu. Nonporous cavitand-crosslinked polymers: Harnessing deep cavities for efficient organic micropollutant removal from water[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(2): 111824. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111824 shu

Nonporous cavitand-crosslinked polymers: Harnessing deep cavities for efficient organic micropollutant removal from water

Yang Liang ^{a, 1} ,
Xiaojuan Zhou ^{a, 1} ,
Rui Wang ^{a, *,} ,
Julius Rebek Jr ^{a, b} ,
Yang Yu ^{a, *,}

a.
Center for Supramolecular Chemistry & Catalysis and Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
b.
Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States

wangrui1990@shu.edu.cn

yangyu2017@shu.edu.cn

Received Date: 16 July 2025
Revised Date: 29 August 2025
Accepted Date: 10 September 2025
Available Online: 11 September 2025

Figures(5)

Organic pollutants, a pivotal factor in water pollution, have persistently menaced the aquatic ecosystem, as well as the sustainable development of human health, economy, and society. Consequently, there is an urgent need for advanced techniques to efficiently eliminate organic micropollutants from water. Here, we present the synthesis of three nonporous cavitand-crosslinked polymers capable of adsorbing diverse organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. These polymeric adsorbents exhibit outstanding adsorptive performance towards the tested micropollutants, characterized by high apparent adsorption rate constants (k_obs) and maximum adsorption capacities (q_{max, e}). Notably, Compound NCCP-1 demonstrated a remarkable q_{max, e} of 459 mg/g for bisphenol A (BPA), ranking among the highest values reported for organic polymer adsorbents. In-depth investigation of the adsorption mechanism of the nonporous polymer revealed that it involves the recognition of pollutants by the deep cavities of the cavitand moieties and the interstitial spaces between them, primarily mediated by the hydrophobic effect. Furthermore, NCCP-1 was applied in situ water purification simulations and was proven to maintain its removal efficiency over more than four cycles, highlighting its potential for practical applications in water treatment.
- Water pollution,
- Organic micropollutant removal,
- Crosslinked polymer,
- Cavitand polymerization,
- Adsorption study,
- Nonporous polymer
1. [1]
  R.P. Schwarzenbach, T. Egli, T.B. Hofstetter, et al., Rev. Environ. Res. 35 (2010) 109–136. doi: 10.1146/annurev-environ-100809-125342
2. [2]
  M. Stuart, D. Lapworth, E. Crane, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 416 (2012) 1–21.
3. [3]
  R.P. Schwarzenbach, B.I. Escher, K. Fenner, et al., Science 313 (2006) 1072–1077. doi: 10.1126/science.1127291
4. [4]
  Y. Luo, W. Guo, H.H. Ngo, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 473 (2014) 619–641.
5. [5]
  M.O. Barbosa, N.F.F. Moreira, A.R. Ribeiro, et al., Water Res. 94 (2016) 257–279. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.02.047
6. [6]
  J. Orfao, A. Silva, J. Pereira, et al., J. Colloid Interf. Sci. 296 (2006) 480–489. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2005.09.063
7. [7]
  E.K. Putra, R. Pranowo, J. Sunarso, et al., Water Res. 43 (2009) 2419–2430. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2009.02.039
8. [8]
  L. Kovalova, D.R.U. Knappe, K. Lehnberg, et al., Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 20 (2013) 3607–3615. doi: 10.1007/s11356-012-1432-9
9. [9]
  P. Kaur, J.T. Hupp, S.T. Nguyen, ACS Catal. 1 (2011) 819–835. doi: 10.1021/cs200131g
10. [10]
  W. Chen, P. Chen, G. Zhang, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev. 50 (2021) 11684–11714. doi: 10.1039/d1cs00545f
11. [11]
  Z. Li, Y.W. Yang, Adv. Mater. 34 (2021) 2107401.
12. [12]
  M.G. Mohamed, A.F.M. EL-Mahdy, M.G. Kotpa, et al., Mater. Adv. 3 (2022) 707–733. doi: 10.1039/d1ma00771h
13. [13]
  A.P. Côté, A.I. Benin, N.W. Ockwig, et al., Science 310 (2005) 1166–1170. doi: 10.1126/science.1120411
14. [14]
  J. Chen, Y. Wang, Y. Yu, et al., Exploration 3 (2023) 20220144. doi: 10.1002/EXP.20220144
15. [15]
  L. Guan, D. Mehdi, H. Li, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 111389.
16. [16]
  Y.H. Jin, M.H. Li, Y.W. Yang, Adv. Sci. 12 (2025) 2412600. doi: 10.1002/advs.202412600
17. [17]
  L. Tan, B. Tan, Chem. Soc. Rev. 46 (2017) 3322–3356. doi: 10.1039/C6CS00851H
18. [18]
  P. Liu, C. Long, H.M. Qian, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 20 (2009) 492–495. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2008.11.019
19. [19]
  B. Li, Y. Zhang, R. Krishna, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136 (2014) 8654–8660. doi: 10.1021/ja502119z
20. [20]
  Y. Xu, S. Jin, H. Xu, A. Nagaia, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev. 42 (2013) 8012–8031. doi: 10.1039/c3cs60160a
21. [21]
  L. Liu, K. Dong, M. Hassan, et al., Green Synth. Catal. 3 (2022) 349–356.
22. [22]
  K. Wang, R. Fan, X. Wei, et al., Green Synth. Catal. 3 (2022) 327–338.
23. [23]
  X. Li, Z. Li, Y.W. Yang, Adv. Mater. 30 (2018) 1800177. doi: 10.1002/adma.201800177
24. [24]
  N.B. McKeown, P.M. Budd, Chem. Soc. Rev. 35 (2006) 675–683. doi: 10.1039/b600349d
25. [25]
  M.J. Klemes, L.P. Skala, M. Ateia, et al., Acc. Chem. Res. 53 (2020) 2314–2324. doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00426
26. [26]
  X. Ji, H. Wang, H. Wang, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 59 (2020) 23402–23412. doi: 10.1002/anie.202009113
27. [27]
  T. Skorjanc, D. Shetty, A. Trabolsi, Chem 7 (2021) 882–918. doi: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.01.002
28. [28]
  Y. Li, X. Lou, C. Wang, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 34 (2023) 107877. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.107877
29. [29]
  A. Alsbaiee, B.J. Smith, L. Xiao, et al., Nature 529 (2016) 190–194. doi: 10.1038/nature16185
30. [30]
  D.J. Fortman, J.P. Brutman, G.X. De Hoe, et al., ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 6 (2018) 11145–11159. doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b02355
31. [31]
  B.R. Elling, W.R. Dichtel, ACS Cent. Sci. 6 (2020) 1488–1496. doi: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c00567
32. [32]
  D.M. Alzate-Sanchez, B.J. Smith, A. Alsbaiee, et al., Chem. Mater. 28 (2016) 8340–8346. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03624
33. [33]
  L. Xiao, Y. Ling, A. Alsbaiee, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139 (2017) 7689–7692. doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b02381
34. [34]
  Y. Ling, M.J. Klemes, L. Xiao, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 51 (2017) 7590–7598. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00906
35. [35]
  M.J. Klemes, Y. Ling, C. Ching, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 58 (2019) 12049–12053. doi: 10.1002/anie.201905142
36. [36]
  F. Tong, Y. Zhou, Y. Xu, et al., Exploration 3 (2023) 20210111. doi: 10.1002/EXP.20210111
37. [37]
  D. Shetty, I. Jahovic, J. Raya, et al., J. Mater. Chem. 5 (2017) 62–66. doi: 10.1039/C6TA08388A
38. [38]
  D. Shetty, J. Raya, D.S. Han, et al., Chem. Mater. 29 (2017) 8968–8972. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b03449
39. [39]
  D. Shetty, J. Jahovic, J. Raya, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 10 (2018) 2976–2981. doi: 10.1021/acsami.7b16546
40. [40]
  Z. Zheng, H. Yu, W. Geng, et al., Nat. Commun. 10 (2019) 5762. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13775-1
41. [41]
  D. Shetty, I. Jahovic, T. Skorjanc, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 12 (2020) 43160–43166. doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c13400
42. [42]
  D. Shetty, S. Boutros, T. Skorjanc, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 8 (2020) 13942–13945. doi: 10.1039/d0ta01907k
43. [43]
  B. Shi, H. Guan, L.Q. Shangguan, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 5 (2017) 24217–24222. doi: 10.1039/C7TA08894A
44. [44]
  S. Lan, S. Zhan, J. Ding, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 5 (2017) 2514–2518. doi: 10.1039/C6TA09266G
45. [45]
  Q. Zhao, Y. Liu, Chem. Commun. 54 (2018) 7362–7365. doi: 10.1039/c8cc04080j
46. [46]
  G. Zhang, X.Y. Lou, M.H. Li, et al., Dyes Pigm. 206 (2022) 110576. doi: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2022.110576
47. [47]
  X. Wang, L. Xie, K. Lin, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60 (2021) 7188–7196. doi: 10.1002/anie.202016364
48. [48]
  L.P. Yang, H. Ke, H. Yao, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60 (2021) 21404–21411. doi: 10.1002/anie.202106998
49. [49]
  B. Purse, J. Rebek Jr., Pror. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 102 (2005) 10777–10782. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0501731102
50. [50]
  R.J. Hooley, J. Rebek Jr., Chem. Bio. 16 (2009) 255–264. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2008.09.015
51. [51]
  D. Ajami, J. Rebek Jr., Acc. Chem. Res. 46 (2013) 990–999. doi: 10.1021/ar300038r
52. [52]
  D. Ajami, L. Liu, J. Rebek Jr., Chem. Soc. Rev. 44 (2015) 490–499. doi: 10.1039/C4CS00065J
53. [53]
  F.Y. Chen, W.C. Geng, K. Cai, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 35 (2024) 109161. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109161
54. [54]
  S.M. Biros, J. Rebek Jr., Chem. Soc. Rev. 36 (2007) 93–104. doi: 10.1039/B508530F
55. [55]
  K.D. Zhang, D. Ajami, J.V. Gavette, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136 (2014) 5264–5266. doi: 10.1021/ja501685z
56. [56]
  Y. Yu, J. Rebek Jr., Acc. Chem. Res. 51 (2018) 3031–3040. doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00269
57. [57]
  Y. Yu, J.M. Yang, J. Rebek Jr., Chem 6 (2020) 1265–1274. doi: 10.1016/j.chempr.2020.04.014
58. [58]
  Y. Yu, J. Rebek Jr., Q. Rev. Biophys. 53 (2020) e6. doi: 10.1017/S0033583520000049
59. [59]
  J.M. Yang, Y.Q. Chen, Y. Yu, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 143 (2021) 19517–19524. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c09226
60. [60]
  M. Petroselli, Y.Q. Chen, J. Rebek Jr., et al., Green Synth. Catal. 2 (2021) 123–130.
61. [61]
  R. Wang, Y. Liang, J. Rebek Jr., et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 35 (2024) 109228. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109228
62. [62]
  F.U. Rahman, J. Yang, Y.M. Wan, et al., Chem. Commun. 56 (2020) 6945–6948. doi: 10.1039/d0cc02778b
63. [63]
  S. Saito, J. Rebek Jr., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 11 (2001) 1497–1499. doi: 10.1016/S0960-894X(01)00138-X
64. [64]
  Y.H. Wan, F.U. Rahman, J. Rebek Jr., et al., Chin. J. Chem. 39 (2021) 1498–1502. doi: 10.1002/cjoc.202000709
65. [65]
  Y.S. Ho, G. McKay, Process Biochem. 34 (1999) 451–465. doi: 10.1016/S0032-9592(98)00112-5
66. [66]
  I. Langmuir, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 40 (1918) 1361–1403. doi: 10.1021/ja02242a004
1. [1]
  Xiaoman Dang , Zhiying Wu , Tangxin Xiao , Zhouyu Wang , Leyong Wang . Highly robust supramolecular polymer networks crosslinked by metallacycles. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 110208-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110208
2. [2]
  Shaohua Zhang , Xiaojuan Dai , Wei Hao , Liyao Liu , Yingqiao Ma , Ye Zou , Jia Zhu , Chong-an Di . A first-principles study of the Nernst effect in doped polymer. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 109837-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109837
3. [3]
  Jinjie Lu , Qikai Liu , Yuting Zhang , Yi Zhou , Yanbo Zhou . Antibacterial performance of cationic quaternary phosphonium-modified chitosan polymer in water. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109406-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109406
4. [4]
  Xin-Tong Zhao , Jin-Zhi Guo , Wen-Liang Li , Jing-Ping Zhang , Xing-Long Wu . Two-dimensional conjugated coordination polymer monolayer as anode material for lithium-ion batteries: A DFT study. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(6): 108715-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108715
5. [5]
  Bing Niu , Honggao Huang , Liwei Luo , Li Zhang , Jianbo Tan . Coating colloidal particles with a well-defined polymer layer by surface-initiated photoinduced polymerization-induced self-assembly and the subsequent seeded polymerization. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 110431-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110431
6. [6]
  Xue Zhao , Mengshan Chen , Dan Wang , Haoran Zhang , Guangzhi Hu , Yingtang Zhou . Ultrafine nano-copper derived from dopamine polymerization & synchronous adsorption achieve electrochemical purification of nitrate to ammonia in complex water environments. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(8): 109327-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109327
7. [7]
  Mengyuan Li , Xitong Ren , Yanmei Gao , Mengyao Mu , Shiping Zhu , Shufang Tian , Minghua Lu . Constructing bifunctional magnetic porous poly(divinylbenzene) polymer for high-efficient removal and sensitive detection of bisphenols. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 109699-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109699
8. [8]
  Man Xu , Qianyi Li , Jingyao Ma , Hao Li , Yunfei Zhu , Fan Yu , Kuande Wang , Tao Zhou , Quanyou Feng , Linghai Xie , Jinyi Lin . Wide bandgap steric carbazole-fluorene-nanogrid polymers via metal-free CN polymerization for deep-blue polymer light-emitting diodes. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(1): 111551-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111551
9. [9]
  Hui Liu , Baoying Xiao , Yaming Zhao , Wei Wang , Qiong Jia . Adsorption of heavy metals with hyper crosslinked polymers: Progress, challenges and perspectives. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(8): 110619-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110619
10. [10]
  Yuanzhe Lu , Yuanqin Zhu , Linfeng Zhong , Dingshan Yu . Long-lifespan aqueous alkaline and acidic batteries enabled by redox conjugated covalent organic polymer anodes. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(3): 100249-100249. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100249
11. [11]
  Fereshte Hassanzadeh-Afruzi , Mina Azizi , Iman Zare , Ehsan Nazarzadeh Zare , Anwarul Hasan , Siavash Iravani , Pooyan Makvandi , Yi Xu . Advanced metal-organic frameworks-polymer platforms for accelerated dermal wound healing. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(11): 109564-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109564
12. [12]
  Ting Shi , Ziyang Song , Yaokang Lv , Dazhang Zhu , Ling Miao , Lihua Gan , Mingxian Liu . Hierarchical porous carbon guided by constructing organic-inorganic interpenetrating polymer networks to facilitate performance of zinc hybrid supercapacitors. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(1): 109559-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109559
13. [13]
  Wenbiao Zhang , Bolong Yang , Zhonghua Xiang . Atomically dispersed Cu-based metal-organic framework directly for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 109630-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109630
14. [14]
  Xu Huang , Kai-Yin Wu , Chao Su , Lei Yang , Bei-Bei Xiao . Metal-organic framework Cu-BTC for overall water splitting: A density functional theory study. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(4): 109720-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109720
15. [15]
  Panke Zhou , Hong Yu , Mun Yin Chee , Tao Zeng , Tianli Jin , Hongling Yu , Shuo Wu , Wen Siang Lew , Xiong Chen . Electron push-pull effects induced performance promotion in covalent organic polymer thin films-based memristor for neuromorphic application. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(5): 109279-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109279
16. [16]
  Jun Guo , Zhenbang Zhuang , Wanqiang Liu , Gang Huang . "Co-coordination force" assisted rigid-flexible coupling crystalline polymer for high-performance aqueous zinc-organic batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109803-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109803
17. [17]
  Yaohua Li , Qi Cao , Xuanhua Li . Tailoring the configuration of polymer passivators in perovskite solar cells. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(2): 100413-100413. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100413
18. [18]
  Dayang Xie , Qiannan Cao , Huapan Fang , Yanhui Li , Huayu Tian . Applications and challenges of biomedical polymer materials in pulmonary diseases. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(2): 111032-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111032
19. [19]
  Mei Zhao , Fengyang Zhao , Jiantao Ping , Wenli Wu , Lingxi Zhao , Xinyue Luan , Li Yu , Shuhua Liu , Yongxian Guo , Juyoung Yoon , Qiongzheng Hu . A recyclable covalent organic framework for selective removal of Hg(Ⅱ) and sunlight-driven sterilization in water. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(10): 110782-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110782
20. [20]
  Tiankai Sun , Hui Min , Zongsu Han , Liang Wang , Peng Cheng , Wei Shi . Rapid detection of nanoplastic particles by a luminescent Tb-based coordination polymer. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(5): 108718-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108718

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(11)
HTML views(1)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142