Advances in conjugated porous polymers via high internal phase emulsion templating

AbstractFunctional porous materials hold significant promise across diverse technological applications, including heterogeneous catalysis, optoelectronics, energy storage, chemical sensors and gas separation. While efforts to replicate the properties of naturally occurring inorganic materials like zeolites and silicates remain strong, there is a growing interest in developing porous organic materials, specifically porous organic polymers, which encompass a range of structures such as covalent organic frameworks, hyper‐crosslinked polymers and conjugated porous polymers. Among these, conjugated porous polymers have become noteworthy due to their extended π‐conjugation, high surface area and stability. Their synthesis employs various bond‐forming reactions, enabling precise control over their electronic and optical properties through the selection of monomers. Techniques like high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) polymerization facilitate the creation of highly porous structures with interconnected morphologies that enhance mass transfer and catalytic kinetics. This mini‐review explores the design and synthesis strategies for π‐conjugated polyHIPEs, highlighting both aqueous and non‐aqueous methods. We discuss how modifications in synthesis conditions influence material properties and applications in photocatalysis. Although current applications are largely limited to photocatalytic processes, there remains potential for broader utilization in optical sensing and energy storage. To realize this potential, expanding the synthetic toolbox and adopting eco‐friendly methods are crucial. The evolution of non‐aqueous emulsions and innovative stabilization techniques, such as block copolymers and Pickering emulsions, represents promising pathways for future research and development in conjugated polyHIPEs. © 2025 The Author(s). Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.