Engineering covalent organic frameworks for next-generation electrochemical devices: A review on sensing, catalysis, and biocompatible applications
摘要
Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a groundbreaking class of porous, crystalline materials with exceptional structural tunability, high surface areas, and predefined functionalities. This review comprehensively explores the recent advancements in engineering COFs for enhanced electrochemical applications, with a specific focus on sensing, catalysis, and biocompatible technologies. In this regard, the unique physico-chemical properties of COFs, such as their electroconductivity, hydrophilicity, crystallinity, and stability, which determine their performance in electrochemical devices, were discussed. A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to strategic functionalization and the development of COF-based composites, including hybrids with metal nanoparticles, metal oxides, carbon nanomaterials (like graphene and CNTs), and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), which synergistically overcome inherent limitations in conductivity and stability. Furthermore, the article highlights innovative design strategies such as core-shell architectures, porphyrin and bipyridine functionalization, and the integration of conducting polymers to create highly sensitive and selective (bio)sensors, efficient catalysts, and robust platforms for enzyme immobilization. Despite the promising progress, challenges related to fabrication, electrical conductivity, and long-term stability are addressed, alongside forward-looking strategies to improve reliability, absorbability, and ratiometric sensing. This review underscores the immense potential of tailored COFs and their composites in pushing the boundaries of sustainable, high-performance electrochemical technologies, providing a valuable roadmap for future research and development in the field.