Covalent Organic Frameworks for Energy Conversion in Photocatalysis

Intensifying energy crises and severe environmental issues have led to the discovery of renewable energy sources, sustainable energy conversion, and storage technologies. Photocatalysis is a green technology that converts eco-friendly solar energy into high-energy chemicals. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous materials constructed by covalent bonds that show promising potential for converting solar energy into chemicals owing to their pre-designable structures, high crystallinity, and porosity. Herein, we highlight recent progress in the synthesis of COF-based photocatalysts and their applications in water splitting, CO2 reduction, and H2O2 production. The challenges and future opportunities for the rational design of COFs for advanced photocatalysts are discussed. This Review is expected to promote further development of COFs toward photocatalysis.

Automated summary

The intensifying energy crises and environmental issues have sparked the research on renewable energy sources, sustainable energy conversion, and storage technologies. Photocatalysis, a green technology, converts eco-friendly solar energy into high-energy chemicals. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), with their pre-designable structures, high crystallinity, and porosity, show promising potential for converting solar energy into chemicals. This Review highlights recent progress in COF-based photocatalysts synthesis and their applications in water splitting, CO2 reduction, and H2O2 production, while discussing the challenges and future opportunities for their rational design.