Porous porphyrin-based photocatalysts: recent progress and applications in environmental remediation

Abstract

Environmental pollution from organic contaminants poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health, which require innovative and efficient remediation strategies. Porphyrin-based materials, renowned for their excellent photochemical properties, have emerged as promising photocatalysts for degrading organic pollutants under light irradiation. Introducing porosity into these porphyrin systems further enhances their catalytic performance by improving pollutant adsorption, increasing surface area, and facilitating efficient light utilization. This review highlights recent progress in the design, synthesis, and functionalization of porous porphyrin-based photocatalysts, including metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) and porous organic polymers (POPs). Particular attention is given to their applications in environmental remediation, such as the degradation of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, dyes, and industrial wastes. The underlying photocatalytic mechanisms, performance metrics, and real-world applicability are discussed in detail. Finally, the prospects and challenges of porous porphyrin-based materials for photocatalysis are also discussed.