Engineering COFs as smart triggers for rapid capture and controlled release of singlet oxygen

Abstract

Capture and controlled release of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) are of great significance but very challenging due to its very short lifetime and high reactivity. To address this challenge, we rationally designed and fabricated a highly crystalline, robust, and porous three-dimensional covalent organic framework (3D COF) by installing functional anthracene moieties on its skeleton for ¹O₂ related applications. Attributed to its open networks, regular channels, and light skeletal density, the active anthracene sites in the 3D COF can be easily and fully accessed, hence affording superior performance compared with other materials such as 2-dimensional COFs and amorphous polymers. Notably, the 3D COF displays the current record-high ¹O₂ capture rate among all reported porous materials, verified by various characterization techniques and rational analysis. Furthermore, we used the 3D COF platform as a stimuli-responsive smart material for anti-fake applications. This study not only provides an outstanding platform for ¹O₂ capture and release but also extends the application scope of COFs.