Recent progress in covalent organic frameworks as heterogeneous photocatalysts for photochemical conversion

Abstract

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of porous and crystalline materials constructed from covalently linked building blocks. Over the past decade, dramatic progress has been made in synthesizing new COFs with diverse applications, especially in photocatalysis. In this review, we highlight recent progress in COFs as heterogeneous photocatalysts for their applications toward hydrogen evolution from water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, organic transformations, and hydrogen peroxide production. We focus on rational design of COF structures as well as our understanding of interplay between COF structures and their optical properties as efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts. Challenges and perspectives are discussed at the end.